The Entrance Facade
A 1795 engraving of Benjamin Franklin, who was a visitor to Prestonfield.
Earlier Houses: Today's house occupies the site of a medieval monastery.
House & Family History: The site of today's Prestonfield House was originally occupied by Priestfield, a monastery founded in 1150 by Henry, Earl of Northumbria. After the Reformation, the monastery was converted to a private house; in the 1670s Priestfield was acquired by the wealthy, Catholic Dick family. It was during the early years of the Dick family's ownership that a mob of Protestant students marched to Midlothian and burned the house to the ground. The Dicks engaged the noted Scottish architect William Bruce ("the Sir Christopher Wren of North Britain") to build them a grand, new house, which they renamed Prestonfield. In the 18th century Prestonfield was the seat of Sir James Dick, Lord Provost of Edinburgh; it was during this century that Prestonfield reached its height as a center of Scottish Enlightenment society, entertaining Benjamin Franklin, David Hume, Samuel Johnson, and Allan Ramsay. The Dick family remained here until the 1950s, after which Prestonfield was converted into a hotel, a use it continues to serve today.
Garden & Outbuildings: The 19th century, round stables was designed by James Gillespie Graham and serves today as an event venue.
Architect: James Gillespie Graham
Date: 1816House Listed: Category A
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: Sir James Dick, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, 18th century; Dick family here from the 1670s until the 1950s.
Current Ownership Type: Corporation
Primary Current Ownership Use: Hotel
Ownership Details: Today Prestonfield House Hotel, a member of the James Thomson Group.
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 01312-257-800
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.prestonfield.com
Awards: Edinburgh's only AA 5 Red Star hotel.
Historic Houses Member: No