The Coalyard House, (Hermits & Termits), St Leonards St

Item no

51716

Title

The Coalyard House, (Hermits & Termits), 64 St Leonards Street

Artist / maker

Magee, Gregg

Date

2021

Type

Digital image

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Hermits and Termits was originally the name of the district in which this house stood. 'Hermits' probably came from its association with Holyrood Abbey and 'Termits' may come from a word meaning an overseer of a section of farm ground.

The house was built between 1734 and 1736 by William Clifton, Solicitor of Excise. In 1831 it became part of St Leonard's Station, the terminus of the Edinburgh and Dalkeith railway (a horse-operated line intended for the transport of coal) and was also known as the Stationmaster's House or the Coalyard House.

The station was finally closed in 1968 and taken over by Lothian Regional Council, and became derelict. In 1982 it was bought by the architect Benjamin Tindall who has since restored it.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Gates

Architecture > Architectural features > Gateways

Places > Edinburgh areas > Southside

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