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Edinburgh, 74 - 78 Grassmarket

Tenement (17th Century)

Site Name Edinburgh, 74 - 78 Grassmarket

Classification Tenement (17th Century)

Alternative Name(s) 73 - 84 Grassmarket; 82 Grassmarket, Claverhouse House

Canmore ID 52281

Site Number NT27SE 261

NGR NT 25444 73407

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/52281

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
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Administrative Areas

  • Council Edinburgh, City Of
  • Parish Edinburgh (Edinburgh, City Of)
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District City Of Edinburgh
  • Former County Midlothian

Archaeology Notes

NT27SE 261 2544 7340

Four storey and garret tenement dated 1634 IL and GK (James Lightbody and Geillis Kniblo). Recast by E J MacRae, City Architect, 1929-30. RCAHMS 1951; J Gifford, C McWilliam and D Walker 1984.

Activities

Publication Account (1951)

53. 74-78 Grassmarket.

One of the oldest houses in Edinburgh, which has recently been rebuilt by the Corporation, stands on the N. side of the Grassmarket at this address. Built of rubble, probably once harled, it is oblong on plan and contains four storeys and a garret, the upper floors being gained from a stair contained within a semi-octagonal tower, enriched by two string-courses, which occupies the centre of the front and encroaches slightly upon the pavement. This tower seems to be the only survival of the original building. Its entrance is moulded, and the lintel is inscribed BLESSED BE GOD FOR AL HIS GIFTIS, with the date 1634 carved below between two sets of initials, I L andG K, which stand for James Lightbodie and his spouse Geillis, daughter of Walter Kniblo. Lightbodie was a merchant, and in right of his wife he was admitted burgess in 1612 and guild-brother twenty years later. Above the eaves rise two extensions, one presenting its flank to the street and the other its gable. The interior has been modernised.

RCAHMS 1951

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