Imagine standing in this square, surrounded by blocks of flats built in the 1930s, just on the edge of the bustling city. You would never guess that a fort once stood on this very spot. Piershill is a suburb in the east of Edinburgh, Scotland, a place where ancient history meets 20th-century urban design. It sits in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, breathing the same air as the iconic castle, but hiding a secret – a fascinating military past.
Piershill has been a settled community since around 1500, and traces of its history exist in the names of nearby areas. You see, the area’s name derives from the French name “Pierre” or possibly the Scots “persche,” which also means “willow.” This could reveal a forgotten connection to the surrounding local flora.
But the most compelling story of this neighborhood is the one of the barracks that used to dominate the area. The buildings were built in 1793 as a response to the threat of the French Revolution. Built along three sides of a quadrangle, the Piershill Barracks became a stronghold of cavalry regiments, who, in their downtime, would exercise their horses along Portobello Beach. During its time as a military base, Piershill Barracks hosted a number of regiments known for their bravery and skill in battle, from the Royal Scots Greys to the Light Dragoons.
The years passed, and the Barracks saw its share of historical activity, but even such a grand military presence is a thing of the past. Due to its deteriorating condition, the barracks were condemned as unfit for cavalry regiments early in the 20th century. It was feared that the Royal Scots Greys might be disbanded, leaving Scotland without a cavalry regiment. The Royal Scots Greys were eventually re-housed at Redford Barracks but the Piershill Barracks were re-used by the Royal Horse Artillery on a smaller scale.
The barracks were finally vacated and demolished in 1935 – just before the outbreak of World War II. Today, the site is occupied by the Piershill Square tenement blocks, built in 1936, using the very stones from the old barracks. The blocks are a testament to the era’s modernist design and represent an interesting confluence of military heritage and urban development.
Piershill might not have the grand scale of the castle, but it has its own unique stories to tell. Take a moment to look around. Try to imagine the soldiers of the past marching through these streets, their boots echoing on stone. It’s a neighborhood of contrasts of modern life and the echoes of a proud military past.