What would it feel like to have this as your front door? This is Stenhouse Mansion. It stands as a testament to Edinburgh’s rich history. The oldest part of the Stenhouse Mansion was built in 1511 by the Stenhope family. They owned mills nearby.
Let’s delve into the story of Stenhouse Mansion. The Stenhope family held land near the Water of Leith from 1511 to 1621. Over time the name evolved. It went from Stennop Milne in 1576 to Stenhouse Mill in 1773.
The oldest part of Stenhouse Mansion got rebuilt and extended in 1623. Patrick Ellis an Edinburgh burgess did the work. His initials the Ellis heraldry and a date stone marked the renovation. George Mackenzie described this in detail.
Look closely at the lintel above the door. You will spot an inscription Blisit Be God For Al His Giftis. This translates to Grace Before Meat. It reflects a common motto during the early Reformation.
Imagine Stenhouse Mansion divided into accommodation for labourers. It fell into disrepair. In 1937 the Greyhound Racing Association saved it. They handed the property over to the National Trust for Scotland. The National Trust gave it its current name.
Today Stenhouse Mansion is an A-listed building. It serves as a conservation centre for Historic Scotland. It was used as a centre for conservation of paintings and carved stones until 2009. Now the National Trust for Scotland maintains it.
Around Stenhouse five hundred houses were built between 1930 and 1936. Ebenezer MacRae the City Architect designed them. There were mainly flatted blocks with a few tenements.
Note that Stenhouse is also a suburb of Edinburgh. It lies west of the City Centre near Whitson Saughton Mains Broomhouse and Chesser. It is primarily a residential area. Also another part of Edinburgh east of Liberton was once known as Stenhouse. It is now called Ellen’s Glen.
Stenhouse Mansion stands as a reminder of Edinburgh’s past. From its early beginnings to its restoration it embodies centuries of history. Take a moment to appreciate the story etched into the stones of Stenhouse Mansion. It connects us to the people and events that shaped this area.