Mystery shrouds Ashgrove House. It’s a name whispered with a mix of intrigue and sadness in Edinburgh. This isn’t the Ashgrove House on the A8, mind you, the Victorian guest house near Haymarket Station. No, this Ashgrove House rests in ruins near Loanhead, a victim of time and the relentless march of progress. Originally called Mayshade House, named for the hawthorn trees that once graced its grounds, it was built in 1753. Imagine master mason John Baxter, who worked with the renowned architect William Adam, choosing this spot for his own home. A man who helped build the grand Mavisbank House creating his own haven. Ashgrove House, then Mayshade, was a testament to his skill and vision. The 19th century brought changes to the house, reshaping its classical elegance. Then a sadder transformation. By the 1950s, the grand estate had become a piggery, a far cry from its elegant beginnings. Though some of the piggery buildings were demolished by 1968, the estate continued to decline. In 2007, the derelict estate was sold for £1.5 million, a price that hinted at the potential still slumbering within its crumbling walls. Plans for residential and commercial development emerged, promising a revival for Ashgrove House and its surrounding land. But the promise remained unfulfilled. The approved plans, with conditions including a much-needed relief road for Loanhead, fell victim to market forces. The vision of a revitalized Ashgrove House, a blend of old and new, faded. Ashgrove House now stands as a poignant reminder of the passage of time. A place where elegance and industry, hope and disappointment, intertwine.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to