Description

Robert Wilson, 1887. 2 storeys and attic to Castlehill, 3 storeys and attic to Johnston Terrace; former school (now Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre) with Scottish Baronial detailing. Squared and snecked lightly stugged sandstone with red sandstone dressings. Long and short quoins. Crowstepped gables. Windows in roll-moulded surrounds.

N (CASTLEHILL) ELEVATION: 6 bays: transomed windows in pedimented roll-moulded architraves to ground floor. Moulded string course stepping up over blank heraldic shield to centre between ground and 1st floors. Transomed windows in roll-moulded surrounds to 1st floor. Chequer-set corbelling to eaves; balustraded parapet; solid to centre; 2-window crowstepped nepus gable with apex stack; circular carved panel in gable.

S (JOHNSTON TERRACE) ELEVATION: round-arched openings to ground floor: flat-headed doors and windows with Diocletian windows over; double string courses between floors. Tall projecting gabled 3-bay block to centre with angle buttresses and bartizans with conical slated roofs; string course stepping up over 3 blank shields to centre at 1st floor; transomed windows to 2nd floor with carved panel (CASTLE HILL SCHOOL) beneath; bracketed and balustraded balcony to mullioned and transomed window with segmental pediment in gable, flanked by carved panels with initials and date (1887). Recessed 3-bay wings: transomed windows to 1st and 2nd floors; string course stepping up over blank shields between outer left and right bays to 2nd floor; blind oculi in gables over 2 bays to outer right and left.

JANITOR'S HOUSE, 17 JOHNSTON TERRACE:

S (JOHNSTON TERRACE) ELEVATION: 3-storeys, 2-bays: timber panelled door to ground in roll-moulded surround; 2 round-arched windows to right; paired small windows to left; mullioned and transomed oriel to right at 1st floor; mullioned bipartite to right at 2nd floor with crowstepped dormerhead breaking eaves; blind oculus in gable; single windows to left at 1st and 2nd floors.

N ELEVATION: crowstepped gable to projecting porch to right with blind oculus above timber panelled door; narrow window to left, small paired windows above.

Small ancillary buildings to E and W with similar details to main building.

Small-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. Greenish-grey slates. Terracotta ridge tiles. Conical slated ventilator to ridge. Tall end stacks with circular cans.

RAILINGS AND RETAINING WALL: tall squared and snecked lightly stugged sandstone retaining wall with roll-moulded cornice and gabletted crenellation to ashlar parapet; round-arched ashlar gateways with cast-iron gates (Boys' and Girls').

Statement of Interest

Robert Wilson was architect to the Edinburgh School Board. Dean of Guild plans seek permission to 'remove old buildings' and erect the school and the janitor's house. The plans made provision for infant and juvenile classrooms, sewing room, cookery room and drawing room. Originally the arcaded lower floor to S was open, and divided into boys' and girls' playgrounds; in 1889 permission was granted to extend the playground.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17796223

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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