The Edinburgh holiday home with a view … of the galaxy

Published on Wednesday 11 November 2009 21:47

ONE of the world's most spectacular holiday homes has been created – in a historic former observatory atop a famous beauty spot in Scotland's capital.

• Old Observatory House

Edinburgh's Calton Hill will become home to a luxury bolt-hole boasting stunning views of the city's skyline in a building dating back to the 18th century.

Standing on a steep slope overlooking the city's Old Town, Old Observatory House is best known for being designed by James Craig, the celebrated architect behind the Old Town.

The Gothic building is to become available for hire next year, after a 400,000 makeover. The transformation follows seven years during which the structure has been on Scotland's official "at risk" register, due to fears over its deteriorating condition.

Dating back to 1776, it was home to the city's first observatory and also let out to workers

It was replaced in 1818 by a new observatory on the hill nearby, designed by William Playfair. The original stayed open for several years to accommodate visitors but has not been open to the public since the 1820s.

It was used as a private home until the 1980s, by which time it was riddled with dry rot.

Now the building has been painstakingly restored by the city council and a deal has been struck with a letting agent to allow it to be hired out.

Although the city council has paid for the two-year refurbishment, it has ruled out creating a visitor attraction because running costs would be too high.

However, officials have decided that short-term lets on the building would secure its long-term future while bringing it back into public use.

Dave Anderson, director of city development, said: "The council does not have a specific budget to maintain the building, nor provide for its use.

"If left empty for any length of time the building will be vulnerable to vandalism and could deteriorate again. The property is essentially domestic and it would be appropriate to return it to its original purpose."

The council has been working with the Vivat Trust, a firm which specialises in the transformation of historic buildings into self-catering accommodation.

A deal expected to be approved by councillors next week will see the local authority and the company split income generated from lets of the building.

Council culture convenor Deirdre Brock said: "The Old Observatory House is probably the finest surviving building by James Craig, occupying a stunning position on Calton Hill overlooking the Old Town, and is now preserved for future generations."

Adam Wilkinson, director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "Views from the house are simply stunning, and I am sure it will be a popular and quirky choice for visitors to Edinburgh."

Terry Levinthal, director of the Scottish Civic Trust, which compiles the national buildings at risk register, said: "It is great that resources are going into this building. there is no doubt about the viability of the site as a venue and iconic Edinburgh landmark. I know it will find occupants in future."

Old Observatory House is one of several buildings on Calton Hill restored in recent months. Others include the National Monument, Burns Monument and Nelson Monument.

Plans have still to be drawn up for Playfair's City Observatory building, which was the nation's main observatory from 1818 until 1896, when a new complex was built on Blackford Hill.

The building remained a major centre for the study of astronomy and a number of telescopes, time devices and instruments are still held there. However, astronomers moved out earlier this year in protest at the state of the building.