Mortonhall
Encyclopedia
Mortonhall is an area of Edinburgh
, Scotland
, on the south edge of the city. It is perhaps best known for its crematorium, designed by Sir Basil Spence
, which is considered to be an outstanding example of Scottish modern architecture. It is based on the same design as his work at Coventry Cathedral
. The crematorium has a lush woodland setting, and acts as a local park. The land to the NW acts as a Garden of Remembrance
. The large expanse of open ground to the west acts as a Cemetery, but owing to a policy of all stones having to be laid flat, it has a rather sterile appearance.
The area is along the western end of the Frogston Road between Fairmilehead
and Gilmerton
; it is just to the south of Liberton and the Braid Hills
. The area was the estate of Mortonhall House, a fine country mansion house of 1769, with an exceptional interior
, thought to be designed by the Edinburgh architect, John Baxter. This has since been converted into offices and flats. The stable range(now a bar) dates from around 1780 and is also particularly fine, including an intact cobbled courtyard. The immediate grounds of the Hall contain a caravan site
and a garden centre
. To the north, the land has been developed as Mortonhall Golf Club; to the east, there is a 1970s housing estate. The land to the south, on the far side of Frogston Road, is mostly farmland.
Some half a mile to the west, on Frogston Road lies Morton House, the Dower House to Mortonhall. This is smaller and less ornate but still impressive, sitting in a small group of historic properties all originally connected to the estate. Ironically, being built in 1702, it predates the current Mortonhall House. This is because the current main house replaced an earlier house marked on early maps from the 17th century.
in 1317 by Robert I
. In 1630, Morton came into the ownership of one William Rigg, whose son sold it to the Porterfield family of Comiston
; it was later bought back by another son, and in 1789 it was sold to the Trotter family, who had acquired the Mortonhall estate in 1635. They built a modern house on the land, Mortonhall House, in 1769, which was later improved in 1835.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, on the south edge of the city. It is perhaps best known for its crematorium, designed by Sir Basil Spence
Basil Spence
Sir Basil Urwin Spence, OM, OBE, RA was a Scottish architect, most notably associated with Coventry Cathedral in England and the Beehive in New Zealand, but also responsible for numerous other buildings in the Modernist/Brutalist style.-Training:Spence was born in Bombay, India, the son of Urwin...
, which is considered to be an outstanding example of Scottish modern architecture. It is based on the same design as his work at Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral, also known as St Michael's Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry, in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The current bishop is the Right Revd Christopher Cocksworth....
. The crematorium has a lush woodland setting, and acts as a local park. The land to the NW acts as a Garden of Remembrance
Garden of Remembrance
Garden of Remembrance may be:*Garden of Remembrance , Ireland*Garden of Remembrance, Lockerbie, Scotland, see: Pan Am Flight 103#Memorials and tributes*Garden of Remembrance , by Oneiroid Psychosis...
. The large expanse of open ground to the west acts as a Cemetery, but owing to a policy of all stones having to be laid flat, it has a rather sterile appearance.
The area is along the western end of the Frogston Road between Fairmilehead
Fairmilehead
Fairmilehead is a district of South Edinburgh. It lies approximately 3 miles due south of the city centre and borders Midlothian. The area comprises the districts of Buckstone, Caiystane, Swanston, Frogston and Winton....
and Gilmerton
Gilmerton, Edinburgh
Gilmerton is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is south-west of Danderhall. Its name derives from a combination of - from which we have the first, Gilmer, element - and ....
; it is just to the south of Liberton and the Braid Hills
Braid Hills
The Braid Hills form an area towards the south-western edge of Edinburgh, Scotland.The hills themselves are largely open space. Housing in the area is mostly confined to detached villas, and some large terraced houses...
. The area was the estate of Mortonhall House, a fine country mansion house of 1769, with an exceptional interior
, thought to be designed by the Edinburgh architect, John Baxter. This has since been converted into offices and flats. The stable range(now a bar) dates from around 1780 and is also particularly fine, including an intact cobbled courtyard. The immediate grounds of the Hall contain a caravan site
Trailer park
A trailer park is a semi-permanent or permanent area for mobile homes or travel trailers. The main reasons for living in such trailer parks are the often lower cost compared to other housing, and the ability to move to a new area more quickly and easily, for example when changing jobs to another...
and a garden centre
Garden centre
A garden centre is a retail firm that sells plants and products related to gardens as its primary business. It is open to the public, with facilities to care for and display plants.- UK :...
. To the north, the land has been developed as Mortonhall Golf Club; to the east, there is a 1970s housing estate. The land to the south, on the far side of Frogston Road, is mostly farmland.
Some half a mile to the west, on Frogston Road lies Morton House, the Dower House to Mortonhall. This is smaller and less ornate but still impressive, sitting in a small group of historic properties all originally connected to the estate. Ironically, being built in 1702, it predates the current Mortonhall House. This is because the current main house replaced an earlier house marked on early maps from the 17th century.
History
The land of Morton and of Mortonhall, part of the Moor of Pentland, was originally granted to Sir Henry St Clair of RosslynHenry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney
Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney and feudal baron of Roslin was a Scottish nobleman. He is sometimes identified by another spelling of his surname, St. Clair. He was the grandfather of William Sinclair, 1st Earl of Caithness, the builder of Rosslyn Chapel...
in 1317 by Robert I
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
. In 1630, Morton came into the ownership of one William Rigg, whose son sold it to the Porterfield family of Comiston
Comiston
Comiston is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is south of Morningside and west of the Braid Hills.The main road through the area, Comiston Road, is a continuation of Morningside Road, and further south becomes Biggar Road. It is classified as the A702 which indeed runs eventually...
; it was later bought back by another son, and in 1789 it was sold to the Trotter family, who had acquired the Mortonhall estate in 1635. They built a modern house on the land, Mortonhall House, in 1769, which was later improved in 1835.