Gladstone's Land facts for kids
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| Established | 1550 |
|---|---|
| Location | 477B Lawnmarket Royal Mile Edinburgh EH1 2NT |
| Type | Historic house |
Gladstone's Land is a very old building from the 1600s in Edinburgh, Scotland. It's a type of apartment building called a tenement. The National Trust for Scotland has fixed it up. Now, it's a fun place for tourists to visit and learn about history.
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A Home Through the Centuries
This historic building, located on the Royal Mile, was first built in 1550. In 1617, a wealthy merchant named Thomas Gledstanes and his wife, Bessie Cunningham, bought it. They rebuilt parts of it, finishing the work in 1620. Inside, they added beautiful painted ceilings. These were later hidden but have now been uncovered.
Gladstone's Land is six storeys tall. This is because space was tight in the Old Town. Buildings could only grow taller or deeper, not wider. The building's size and location show how important its owner was. Today, visiting the restored building helps us understand what life was like in Edinburgh long ago.
Who Lived Here?
Thomas Gledstanes lived on the top floors of the building. He rented out other parts to different people. These tenants came from various social classes. They included another merchant, John Riddoch, and his wife, Margaret Noble. A knight named James Crichton also lived there. Even a guild officer, who was part of a trade group, had a home in Gladstone's Land.
John Riddoch and Margaret Noble ran a shop and a tavern on the ground floor. Their servant, Issobell Johnston, helped manage the tavern. Records show she bought drinks from John Riddoch to sell, which was common for servants then. John Riddoch passed away in 1632. His will listed items they sold, like raisins, sugar, and spices. After Riddoch, Andrew Pringle took over the shop. His servant, Alison Hume, managed the tavern.
By 1636, Thomas Gledstanes shared ownership with David Jonkin. Jonkin was a merchant and shipowner. Their tenants at that time included two lawyers, Andrew Hay and John Adamson.
William Struthers and His Role
In the 1630s, a minister named William Struthers lived in Gladstone's Land. He was an important member of the Church of Scotland. He supported both King James VI and I and King Charles I. Struthers was involved in the trial of Marion Muir, who was accused of witchcraft. He heard one of her possible confessions.
Saving a Piece of History
In 1934, Gladstone's Land was almost torn down. But the National Trust for Scotland stepped in to save it. An architect named Sir Frank Mears led the restoration work. During this process, they found the original painted ceilings hidden under plaster.
Today, the restored building shows what life was like in the 1600s, 1700s, and even the 1900s. You can see open fires and period furniture. There was no running water back then! On the ground floor, there's a reconstructed shop. It has copies of goods that would have been sold in the 1600s. This area would have protected customers from the weather. A curved stone staircase leads from the street to a door on the first floor.
Above the entrance, a sign shows the date 1617. It also has a golden hawk with its wings spread out. This hawk is important because the name "Gledstanes" comes from the Scots word "gled." "Gled" means a kite or a hawk.
By the late 1700s, Edinburgh's Old Town became less popular. Many wealthy people moved to the newer parts of the city. Today, visitors can compare Gladstone's Land to another restored home. This is The Georgian House in New Town. It shows how people lived in the 1700s.
Gladstone's Land Today
Gladstone's Land was closed for a big restoration project from February 2020 to May 2021. This project cost £1.5 million. Now, it has a museum on the first, second, and third floors. On the ground floor, there's an ice cream shop, a cafe, and a retail area. The top floors have holiday apartments.
The museum explores the lives of merchants, tradespeople, and workers over 500 years. You can take self-guided tours or join a guided tour. Some special tours include Tables Through Time: Food in Gladstone's Land and A History of Tea. There is also a tour called Medical Tales.
