East Craigs

East Craigs, a residential district on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is a place that may appear quiet, but it holds an array of stories waiting to be unearthed. Nestled on the western flanks of Corstorphine Hill, East Craigs has been a part of Edinburgh’s narrative for centuries. Originally a working farm, it was once known for its grazing cattle and fields of crops. The area’s name hints at its past, derived from the old Scots word for rocks, known as ‘craigs’, and named in contrast to nearby ‘West Craigs’. The oldest structure in East Craigs is East Craigs House, built in 1768. It was once a part of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency (SASA), which took ownership of the land in 1922, with a semi-octagonal stairwell added in the early 1800s. The building was later restored and incorporated into a new residential development. Throughout the 20th century, East Craigs saw steady development. Housing developers began purchasing land from the original farm in the 1930s, creating the foundations of this charming district. It was the construction of Maybury Road in 1936 that truly ignited the development of this area, which was a significant step towards transforming East Craigs from a rural area into the suburb it is today. The community was further nurtured by the inclusion of a variety of amenities including a shopping center, medical and dental facilities, a phone exchange, and a church hall. Today, East Craigs is known for its mix of houses built over decades, from the bungalows and spacious family houses of the pre-war era to the family-sized homes and flats built during the 1970s, 1980s and 2000s. The area is also home to Craigmount High School, a secondary school built in 1970 to help ease the pressure on surrounding schools. This well-loved school remains a vital part of the community. The story of East Craigs is a tale of transformation from a farming community to a thriving residential hub, filled with its own unique blend of history and modernity. From the rolling hills to the buildings that now dot the landscape, every corner of East Craigs whispers of its rich history, inviting you to truly appreciate the beauty and significance of this suburban gem.