Mary Erskine School and Ravelston House

Edinburgh

ln 1620 George Foulis, Master of the Mint, purchased the estate of Ravelston, and built a mansion there between 1622 and 1624. He died in 1633 and is commemorated, together with his wife Janet Bannatyne, by a handsome monument in Greyfriars Churchyard. His house was later destroyed by fire, but some fragments of it survived and these are still discernible today. In 1726 the property was sold to Alexander Keith, whose son, also Alexander, built the present mansion shortly before his death in 1792. This house was extended by a kinsman, who purchased the place in 1872; and in 1915-6 the extension was raised in height and the mansion itself was remodeled internally. By 1966 the house and land had been transformed into the Mary Erskine School with the main house being used for classrooms and the principals’ offices. The extensive grounds and gardens are still accessible today and provide a perfect back drop to the hustle and bustle of the school life.

Guided tour of the house and grounds will be scheduled for every hour. Please make an online booking for selected time slots for the tour via this link https://www.trybooking.com/uk/DTWD 

 

Facilities

• Disabled WC
• WC
• Refreshments
• Parking
• Limited Access