20 days to see Observatory House for free

OLD Observatory House on Calton Hill is to be opened to the public for free for 20 days every year.

The city council and listed building specialists the Vivat Trust worked together to restore and reopen the James Craig-designed building as a holiday home.

Council chiefs agreed to lease the building for an annual rent of 1, as well as a surplus share agreement that is expected to be worth 12,500 to the city council in the first year and then rise to 16,000 by the third year.

The short term lease has been agreed while the council is awaiting court approval for a longer lease, which is required by them because the building is part of the common good fund.

The terms of the lease require access to the public to be made available for free for up to 20 days a year, including Doors Open Day which occurs in September.