The "Land" (sited at 481 and 483 Lawnmarket) was originally built in 1550,[1] but was bought and redeveloped in 1617 by a prosperous Edinburgh merchant and burgess, Thomas Gledstanes, and his wife, Bessie Cunningham.

[2] Its prominent siting on the Royal Mile (between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood) and the extent of its accommodation mark out the affluence of its mercantile owner.

[1] Gledstanes resided on the upper floors, and let out parts of the building to an assortment of tenants of different social classes, including another merchant John Riddoch and his wife Margaret Noble, a knight James Crichton of Frendraught, and a guild officer.

[8] David Jonkin had been fined for breaking Edinburgh's market regulations in 1624 when it was discovered he was buying imported food in Burntisland to profiteer during a famine.

He was a prominent member of the Church of Scotland, and a supporter of both James VI and I and Charles I. Struthers played a role in the trial of Marion Muir, an accused witch.

[1][12] Under the auspices of the Trust, restoration of the building was carried out by the architect, Sir Frank Mears, in consultation with the Ancient Monuments Department of the Ministry of Works in Edinburgh.

[13] Today the restored premises offer a glimpse of 17th, 18th, and 20th century life, with open fires, lack of running water, and period decoration and furniture.