Heriot Row

Heriot Row is a highly prestigious street in central Edinburgh, virtually unchanged since its original construction in 1802.

From its inception to the present day in remained a top address in the city and has housed the rich and famous of the city's elite for 200 years Following the success of Edinburgh's First New Town (from Princes Street to Queen Street) it was proposed to expand the concept northwards onto what was then fairly open land largely owned by the Heriot Trust.

The scheme was designed by William Sibbald with the young Robert Reid working mainly on the proportions of the palace type frontages.

The short western section (linking to Darnaway Street then the Moray Estate was slightly later and was executed in 1817 to the design of Thomas Bonnar being built by William & Wallace.

In 1864 David Bryce drew up a plan to add a third storey to all the western (central) section, but as this was in mixed ownership not all owners added this.

It has one ground floor and basement house, but the upper flats are entered from the side (2 India Street).

Every house entrance is accessed from a set of steps leading to a stone platform which spans over the basement area.

The original lights were added in the 1860s (sixty years after construction) to a design by John Kippen Watson FRSE.

[6] The east end of the garden opposite 1 Heriot Row was designed by the artist Andrew Wilson.

[8] The small "Grecian temple" in the eastern garden seems to deceive most people and many bizarre stories exist explaining its "history".