Why is Restalrig more than just a suburb of Edinburgh? It holds layers of history. Restalrig is a small residential area east of Edinburgh’s city center. It overlaps with Craigentinny and Lochend. Restalrig Road is the main route through the area.
The name Restalrig means ridge of the miry land. The area is first mentioned as Lestalric in 1165. Edward de Lestalric built a church here. His grandson Sir Thomas de Lestalric completed it in 1210. Over the centuries, the area was called Lestalryk, Restalric, or Rastalrig.
The Norman noble family, the de Lestalrics, were ancient landowners. Sir John de Lestalric died in 1382. He left his estate to his daughter Katharine and her husband Sir Robert Logan. Logan became the laird.
The Logan family’s castle stood where Lochend House is now. It overlooked Lochend Loch. A fire largely destroyed the castle in the late 16th century. The current house incorporates fragments of the old tower house. The City of Edinburgh Council owns it today.
Lochend Loch was Leith’s main water supply for centuries. The park around the reduced loch has a 16th-century doocot. Some think it was a kiln for burning plague-infected clothing in 1645. It later became a boat house.
Richard III of England camped at Restalrig in August 1482. He had just captured Berwick upon Tweed. James IV of Scotland often visited. He gave offerings for masses at the altars of Our Lady and Saint Triduana in 1496.
During the Siege of Leith in 1560, the English army’s headquarters was at Restalrig Deanery. In 1572, Thomas Randolph and Sir William Drury stayed in the Deanery. Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange decorated the house. He used royal tapestry from Edinburgh Castle.
Around 1604, the Logans sold Calton and Restalrig to Lord Balmerino. The Craigentinny part went to Edinburgh merchant James Nisbet. Marionville House is an impressive villa slightly west of the center. Ann and Katherine Ramsay built it starting in 1769. They called it Viewfrith. Capt James M’Rae later bought it and renamed it Marionville.
By 1857, Restalrig was called a decayed village. The area was mostly farmland and dairies. Around 1925, public housing was built to the north and east. Restalrig House was demolished in 1963.
St Margaret’s Well stood here until 1859. It was moved to Holyrood Park by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. This was to prevent its destruction by railway workshop construction.
In 1784, the first British manned hot air balloon landed in Restalrig. It had taken off from nearby Abbeyhill.
A church has stood at Restalrig since 1178. Originally, its parish included South Leith. In 1296, Adam of St Edmunds swore fealty to Edward I of England.
The church housed St Triduana’s relics. James III of Scotland supported her cult. He built a hexagonal chapel royal next to the kirk. It was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Trinity. He established a chaplaincy in 1477. It became known as the King’s Chapel. James IV added six prebendaries. James V added a choir of boys.
In 1560, the kirk was ordered to be removed during the Scottish Reformation. Some choir walls survived. In 1836, William Burn incorporated them into the rebuilt church. This served as a chapel of ease for South Leith. Restalrig became a quoad sacra parish in 1912.
The church is a category A listed building. St Triduana’s Aisle is further protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Ss Ninian and Triduana’s Church is a Catholic church in Restalrig. It is dedicated to St Triduana. Giles Gilbert Scott designed the church in 1929.
Many notable people are interred in Restalrig graveyard. These include Robert Hodshon Cay, Henry Brougham, and Louis Cauvin. Others include Rev John Barclay, Lt General John Gordon, and Michael Malcolm.
Restalrig is a place where history whispers from every corner. It is a place of ancient churches, grand houses, and notable figures. It is a place that has evolved through centuries. Restalrig continues to captivate those who take the time to explore its past.