Type L-Plan Tower House Built c.16th Century | Open to
the public No Owner Politics of Edinburgh | |
 | ||
Controlled by Lestalric Family (until 14th Century) Logan Family (until c.1600) Similar Lochend Park, South Leith Parish Church, Meadowbank Stadium | ||
Lochend House, also known as Restalrig Castle and Lochend Castle, is an occupied house, incorporating the remains of a 16th-century L-plan tower house, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located in the Lochend area, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Edinburgh Castle. The house is protected as a category B listed building.
Contents
History
The original castle was built on lands originally belonging to the Lestalric family, but which had passed to the Logan family of Restalrig early in the 14th century. That family retained possession until forfeited for their part in the Gowrie conspiracy against King James VI. The castle was burned by William Gilmour of the Inch at that time. Sir Robert Logan was the last member of the family to own the property.
Thereafter the property was in the hands of Arthur Elphinstone, 6th Lord Balmerino, from 1704. He was executed in London for his part in the Jacobite rising of 1745, having been captured after the battle of Culloden.
The gable end of the tower is incorporated into the present house, which was built around 1820. City of Edinburgh Council owns the building and it was used as a children's centre. It was boarded up by 2016.
Structure
The house is located on a crag in Lochend Park, with steep slopes down to a small loch on its west side. The original part of the building comprises a three-storey L-plan block, which has a steeply pitched roof. The interior has been completely altered, but there are still some aumbries in the thick walls, and there are remnants of a fireplace large enough for an ox to be roasted in it. Nearby within the park is a 16th-century doocot, which was used in the 19th century as a boat house, and is now also Category B listed.