Merchiston Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Merchiston Castle |
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| Merchiston, in Edinburgh, Scotland |
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Merchiston Castle in 2012
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| Type | L-Plan tower house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Napier University |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Site history | |
| Built | c. 1454 |
| Built by | probably Alexander Napier |
| In use | 15th century to 21st century |
| Materials | Stone |
Merchiston Tower, also known as Merchiston Castle, is a historic building in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was likely built around 1454 by Alexander Napier, who was the second Laird (a Scottish word for a landowner) of Merchiston. For many years, it was the home of the Napier family.
The castle is famous for being the birthplace of John Napier in 1550. He was the 8th Laird of Merchiston and a very important inventor. John Napier created logarithms, which are a type of math that helps make calculations easier. Today, Merchiston Tower stands right in the middle of Edinburgh Napier University's Merchiston campus.
A Look Back at Merchiston Castle
The land around Merchiston Castle was bought by Alexander Napier (1st Laird of Merchiston) before 1438. The castle stayed with the Napier family for almost 500 years.
Merchiston Castle was probably built as a country home. However, because of its important location and the many conflicts happening at the time, it needed strong defenses. Some of its walls are as thick as six feet! The castle was often attacked. During repairs in the 1960s, workers found a 26-pound cannonball stuck in the tower. Experts believe it came from a battle in 1572. This battle was between supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots, and those who supported her son, James VI.
Over the centuries, the castle changed owners several times. In 1659, it was sold to the Lowis family. Later, in 1729, it was sold to the governors of George Watson's Hospital. The Napier family bought it back in 1752 when Francis Napier, 6th Lord Napier became the owner again.
In 1818, the Napier family once more owned Merchiston Castle. This was when William Napier, 9th Lord Napier, bought it.
In 1833, Lord Napier rented the tower to Charles Chalmers. Chalmers started the Merchiston Castle School there. The school eventually bought the castle in 1914. However, the school moved to a new location in 1930, about three miles away.
After the school left, the castle was owned by The Merchant Company again. Then, in 1935, Edinburgh City Council took ownership. The tower was empty for many years, except during wartime. In 1956, people suggested it become the main building for a new technical college. Restoration work began in 1958. During this work, they found the original drawbridge entrance and saved a beautiful plaster ceiling from the 1600s.
Today, Merchiston Castle is a key part of Edinburgh Napier University's Merchiston campus.
How Merchiston Castle Was Designed
Merchiston Tower is a fascinating example of a medieval tower house. It follows a common "L" shape, known as an L-plan, with one part sticking out to the north. Originally, the second floor and the roof had vaulted ceilings, which are curved, arched ceilings.
One special feature is the main entrance. It's not on the ground floor, but on the second floor of the south side. The doorway is set back in a tall, shallow space. This space likely held a drawbridge. This drawbridge would have rested on an outer platform about 14 feet above the ground and 10 feet away from the tower.
When Merchiston Castle School used the building, they made big changes. They added a two-story extension in a Gothic style, which looked like a small castle. They also added a basement, which has since been removed.
Today, Edinburgh Napier University has made some changes too. They removed large parts of the wall in the northern extension. This was done to create a corridor that connects the castle to other buildings on the campus.
