Originally built in 1687 by architect Sir William Bruce,[1] it was once considered a wealthy rural estate, however in recent decades, it has come to serve as a hotel.

Thomas Hamilton, Lord Priestfield was clearly living in the house in 1607, when he adopted Prestonfield as his style as a Senator of the College of Justice.

Dick employed Sir William Bruce to design a replacement building, which was then renamed Prestonfield, distancing it from its Catholic connections.

The Dick family continued to modify and improve the estate, adding paintings, a new staircase with reception rooms and a porte-cochère.

His son, Lieutenant Colonel William Henry Dick-Cunyngham VC (16 June 1851 – 6 January 1900) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross.