Greenhill, Edinburgh facts for kids
Greenhill is a small, pretty area in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It's located just south of the city center. Many people think of Greenhill as part of Bruntsfield, which is right next to it. It's also close to other cool neighborhoods like Marchmont, The Grange, Morningside, and Merchiston. In Greenhill, you'll find a mix of old and beautiful houses. Some are from the Georgian era, and many are from the Victorian times. There are also some larger apartment buildings called tenements.
A Look Back: Greenhill's History
The name Greenhill comes from an old estate that used to be here. This land was first bought way back in 1586 by Thomas Aikenhead, a merchant from Edinburgh. He was a skinner, meaning he worked with animal skins to make things like gloves. Thomas Aikenhead was also an important person in the city government, serving as a councillor and a bailie (a type of local official).
Later, in 1636, the Greenhill estate was sold to John Livingston. He was an apothecary, which was like a pharmacist back then. His family had become connected to the Aikenheads through marriage.
Who Lived Here? Famous Residents
Greenhill has been home to some interesting people!
- Robert McVitie (1854-1910): You might know the name McVitie's from biscuits! Robert McVitie, who created the famous McVitie's Biscuits, lived at 12 Greenhill Gardens. Imagine living in the same neighborhood as the person who invented your favorite snack!
- Ron Flockhart (1923-1962): Ron was a famous racing driver. He won the tough Le Mans race twice in 1956 and 1957, driving for a Scottish team called Ecurie Ecosse. He and his parents lived at 8 Greenhill Gardens. Ron also raced in Formula 1, which is the highest level of car racing. Besides cars, he loved flying and even flew his own aircraft to races! Sadly, he died in Australia in 1962 while trying to set a record for flying from Sydney to London in a single-engine plane.
Cool Old Features: Historical Sights
As you walk around Greenhill, you can spot some cool historical features.
- Greenhill House Stone Carving: Look closely at the wall of an apartment building (a tenement house) at the corner of Bruntsfield Place and Bruntsfield Gardens. You might see a stone carving! It shows the old manor house that used to stand in Greenhill. It's like a little piece of history carved into the wall.
- The Livingstone Mausoleum: There's also a special walled structure that doesn't have a roof. This is the mausoleum (a building for burying the dead) of John Livingston, the apothecary who owned the Greenhill estate. His wife, Elizabeth Rig, paid for it. It used to be in the grounds of the old manor house. Now, it's next to a smaller private Victorian house. You can see a tombstone inside with the date 1645. This small, square area has an information plaque, a bench, and some plants, making it a quiet historical spot.
