The original building housed many literary figures of the 18th century, from 1834 it served as a convent and from 1986 to 1993 it was Gillis College, the seminary for the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland.

In June 1834, James Gillis bought a house, Whitehouse, for his proposed convent with 2 acres of ground for £3,000 from Ann Oliphant.

At St Margaret's, arrangements had been made for the reception of young lady boarders, whose education was to be the principal work of the sisters.

The chapel dedicated to St Margaret of Scotland was designed by James Gillespie Graham (probably under significant influence from A. W. N. Pugin) and opened in 1835.

The Ursulines moved to St Margaret's Tower, 88 Strathern Road, which was adjoining the school site, where they remained until the property was sold in 2010.

[6] Gillis College was the senior seminary of the archdiocese for the training of students for the priesthood and accepted seminarians from the dioceses of the Province of St Andrews and Edinburgh.

The Gillis Centre offered bed and breakfast accommodation until it was closed by the Trustees of the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh on 30 November 2017.

The Diocesan Pastoral Office was closed[9] by Archbishop Leo Cushley on 30 November 2017, with most of its functions being transferred to five priests who were given appointments as episcopal vicars.