Because of its relatively isolated position at the foot of the Pentland Hills, it has remained largely unaffected by commercial or suburban development.

Its most notable resident was the young Robert Louis Stevenson, whose family leased a holiday home in the village during the late 19th century.

This terminates at a gate at the highest point in the village, beyond which the route continues as a rough track leading up into the hills.

These factors have all helped maintain Swanston as a picturesque area, somewhat isolated from the rest of the city and largely unaffected by commercial or suburban development.

[3][6] In the 16th century, the area consisted of two large farms, situated on either side of a cart track along the line of the present Swanston Road.

[6] The present village began to take shape in the early 18th century with the construction of a substantial three-storey farmhouse, a group of thatched farm workers' cottages and a school house.

A group of eight stone cottages with slate roofs, on three sides of a communal green, was added in the late 19th century.

A cistern house, three sand filter beds and a cottage for the water engineer were constructed; these can all still be seen, situated about 150 m (164 yd) to the west of Swanston Road.

To fill that need, a small, single-storey thatched cottage was built on high ground a short distance to the north west.

[12] According to Robert Louis Stevenson, "after [the city fathers] had built their water-house and laid their pipes, it occurred to them that the place was suitable for junketing.

Once entertained, with jovial magistrates and public funds, the idea led speedily to accomplishment; and Edinburgh could soon boast of a municipal Pleasure House".

The house had by then been modernised and enlarged, with the addition of a second storey, bow windows, a single-story extension, and a slate roof to replace the original thatch.

[14] During the family's tenancy, the young Robert Louis Stevenson made frequent use of the cottage, being attracted by the quiet country life and the feeling of remoteness.

He later obtains help from two drovers, Simms and Candlish, who were probably based on John Todd, a Swanston shepherd with whom Stevenson enjoyed a lasting friendship.

One of the club's most distinguished members was Tommy Armour, who won several major championships in the 1920s and 1930s, despite being partially blinded in World War I.

This would include mountain bike trails, a zip wire, a campsite, glamping pods, a pump track, office suites, shops and a café.