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Lauriston Castle Tour
Edinburgh is home to many beautiful old castles that attract many tourists from all over the world. Lauriston Castle is particularly beautiful among the buildings here. The castle is made of light-coloured bricks and has a delightful, picturesque park with a mowed lawn at the entrance.
A four-storey tower was erected on the site at the end of the 16th century where the majestic building stands today. It was intended for Francis, son of Sir Archibald Napier. The castle was later owned by an economist, John Law and later by Lord Andrew Rutherford. Thomas Allen (a banker) took on the task of rebuilding it in 1827 despite the fact that Lauriston Castle had already had several owners.
The new owner of the castle left the four-storey tower unchanged and started to add a two-storey wing with balconies, windows with wide frames, turrets with thin spires and a roof decorated with beautiful ornaments. Externally, the new extension looks like a “native” part of the original castle. It is only on close inspection that it becomes apparent that the stonework on the two parts is different.
Lauriston Castle was purchased in 1902 by businessman Robert Reid and his wife. Mr William Barton (Mrs Reid’s brother) resided at the castle along with the married couple. The family was wealthy and well-known in Edinburgh. Many contributions were made by each of them towards decorating the castle and filling it with fine household interior items.
Robert Reid was the owner of a furniture and cabinet making business in Scotland. It was called Morrison and Co. and its furniture adorns the halls of Lauriston Castle.
William Barton worked in the plumbing business and installed plumbing and electrical equipment at Lauriston Castle. Thanks to his knowledge and skills Lauriston Castle was fitted with a central heating system and illuminated. William transformed the structure into a modern home, decorating the interiors and furnishing the bathrooms with the assistance of his brother-in-law.
Mrs Margaret Reid and her husband Robert spent a considerable amount of money in order to acquire outlandish antiques and works of art to furnish each room. Thus, gradually, each room at Lauriston was transformed and the overall composition and style of the castle took on a fantastic appearance.
Despite their wealth the Reid family had no children of their own. The last residents of Lauriston Castle gave it to the National Trust on one mandatory condition: the structure must retain its unaltered appearance. Lauriston Castle became a museum after Mrs Reid died in 1926.
Nowadays the museum of Lauriston Castle keeps the unique, personal belongings of its last owners, household items, collectibles and works of art in its halls. The rooms recreate the interiors and decorations of the “Reid” rooms. The interiors of the rooms feature collections of objects from mezzotint prints, Scottish and English furniture items and ceramics in blue and white colours from China and Holland that were created by William Robert Reid himself.
Chic beds and chest of drawers stand in the spacious bedrooms, a soft sofa is spread out in the living room and a collection of books is gathered in the spacious library. Scottish and English paintings from past centuries hang on the walls. The high ceilings are adorned with chandeliers and modern bulbs have now replaced former candles.
The owners of the castle left many personal belongings here in addition to all the beautiful things they brought back from the different countries they loved to travel to. Thanks to details and small things it is possible to imagine the atmosphere and way of life that prevailed in the Reid family and society. An elegant grand piano belonging to Mrs Reid stands majestically in the chic drawing room of the castle. The parlour table is covered with a newspaper that reports world tragedy – the sinking of the legendary Titanic. A telephone from the 1920’s is present in Mr Reid’s private study and Margaret’s walking stick which bears her name is at the entrance to the castle.
Equally attractive is the local park which surrounds Lauriston Castle. The park has a small stream with miniature bridges and artificial stone islands. There are paved walkways throughout the park which are pleasant to stroll along in the shade of huge trees. Comfortable benches have been installed in the park for visitors’ convenience and a chance to relax after visiting the castle.
Anyone who appreciates art and wants to see with their own eyes the beauty of the old days and plunge into the times of the Reid family should definitely visit Lauriston Castle, stroll through the picturesque park and enjoy the atmosphere of luxury and antiquity.
