Imagine stepping back in time to an area north of Edinburgh. This is Powderhall. It was once best known for Powderhall Stadium. This stadium was a greyhound racing track that is now closed.
Powderhall’s story goes back further than the stadium. The name Powderhall comes from a gunpowder factory. The Balfour family of Pilrig established it. They had several businesses in the early 18th century.
Let’s delve into the details of Powderhall’s past. Physical evidence of the gunpowder factory is lacking. One theory suggests the name comes from the Scots “Poldre Haw.” This means marshy haugh. During the 19th century, locals called the riverbank “Puddockie.” People caught frogs and tadpoles there. But Powderhall may have gotten its name from Paddock Hall. This was a substantial mansion house.
Several grand homes existed here in the 17th and 18th centuries. These include Redbraes, Stewartfield, and Pilrig. Around 1750, Powderhall House belonged to the Mylne family. The house was described as being “down in the dell.”
Thomas Mylne was Edinburgh’s city surveyor. He died at Powderhall in 1773. In 1775, Sir John Gordon married Anne Mylne at Powderhall. She was the daughter of the late John Mylne. John Mylne was a successful London engineer. He designed Blackfriars Bridge. Twenty years later, the Seton family bought Powderhall. It became the Midlothian residence of Sir John Hunter Blair.
Sir James Hunter was a Member of Parliament. He then became Lord Provost. Sir James married Jane Blair and added her name to his. They had fourteen children including Sir John. Sir John died at Powderhall in 1800. Colonel William MacDonald then purchased the estate.
McDonald Road was named after Sir Andrew McDonald. He was an Edinburgh clothier and Lord Provost. By this time, villas lined the road from Broughton. They served as retreats for the city’s elite. These included Broughton Hall and Broughton Park.
In 1820, Powderhall was a semi-rural area. It had small fields and ornamental grounds. This was between the milling villages of Canonmills and Bonnington.
In the early 1860s, James Ross lived at West Powderhall. He was a pioneer photographer. The Ordnance Survey Map of 1876 shows considerable changes. The property known as Powderhall became East Powderhall. It was divided into three parts. West Powderhall became known as just Powderhall. It was also divided.
Despite these changes, some villas survived. These included Blanfield and Logie Green. Beaverhall became heavily industrial. It had a tannery and ironworks.
In 1868, businessmen acquired land at East Powderhall. They created an athletics track with small stands. This was the beginning of Powderhall Stadium. The first Scottish Amateur Athletic Association Championship was held here. In 1922, Eric Liddell won sprint events here. He was the subject of the film Chariots of Fire. Two years later, Liddell won the 400 meters at the Olympic Games.
Athletic meetings continued until the 1960s. The annual Powderhall Sprint was a unique event. It took place on New Year’s Day. Now, it is run in Musselburgh.
Over the years, other sports took place here. These included rugby, football, and greyhound racing. From 1977 to 1995, the stadium hosted motorcycle speedway for the Edinburgh Monarchs. Hearts won the President’s Cup at Powderhall Grounds in 1977. In 1995, the stadium was demolished for housing.
The Powderhall Refuse Depot was built in 1893. It was for waste incineration. The red sandstone headquarters was designed by Mr. Cooper. Today, it serves as a Visitor Centre.
Today, Powderhall is known as Powderhall Village or Canonmills Gardens. It is a mix of housing and businesses. It is an example of reclaimed land and modern housing.