Did you know that Mortonhall House whispers tales of communal living experiments? Right here before us stands Mortonhall House a grand mansion built in 1769. It’s believed that John Baxter a prominent Edinburgh architect designed this impressive structure. For many years Mortonhall House stood proudly as a country mansion. Then in the late 1940s and early 1950s it became home to scientists. These were scientists from the Agricultural Research Council’s Unit of Animal Genetics. They and their families lived together in a fascinating communal arrangement.
This wasn’t just any shared living situation. It was quite turbulent. This unconventional lifestyle was later immortalized in Edith Simon’s novel The Past Masters. Think of the stories that must have unfolded within these walls. Think of the discussions of genetics in the drawing room and debates about family life in the dining hall. Mortonhall House was much more than just bricks and mortar. It was a stage for an intriguing social experiment.
Today Mortonhall House has been transformed into flats and offices. Yet the past lingers. The stable range now a bar still stands. It dates back to around 1780. This building maintains its original cobbled courtyard. Nearby a caravan and camping park a garden centre and a golf course occupy the estate grounds. The land surrounding Mortonhall House retains much of its historic charm. Mortonhall’s history is richly interwoven with the stories of its residents and their times.
The house itself boasts exceptional interiors. Thomas Bonnar a noted interior decorator added his touch in the late 18th century. The Drawing Room contains fine pastoral scenes dating to around 1840. The interiors were significantly remodeled in the late 18th century. The interiors retain fine details. Features like the elaborate plasterwork and the hand-painted scenes are a testament to Mortonhall’s elegance.
Imagine the Trotters the merchants who originally owned Mortonhall House. They built it in 1769. The house was later improved in 1835. Its history extends far beyond its architectural beauty. It is a place of scientific advancement and unconventional social experiments. It is even connected to a significant archaeological find. The Mortonhall scabbard a sword scabbard dating back to the first century AD was found nearby. Its presence adds another fascinating layer to Mortonhall’s long and intricate history. Mortonhall House is more than just a building. It’s a living testament to Edinburgh’s rich past. Its story lives on in the very stones of this remarkable mansion.