Reminiscences

Saughton Hall

The building behind the three-arched bridge in the engraving above is Saughton Hall which stood in 98 acres of land, built around mid-1600s, or perhaps developed from an even earlier building.  It was purchased by Edinburgh Corporation in 1900 to be developed as a public park and housing.  The building became derelict and dangerous and was demolished in 1952.

Further details can be found in a Historic Monuments (Scotland) report of 1929 which also includes a floor plan of the building.  The report records that the property remained in the family of Robert Baird (who was knighted in 1695) from 1660 until the early 19th century.

It then became The Institute for the Recovery of the Insane, described as "a private lunatic asylum exclusively designed for the reception of Patients of the higher ranks".

Thank you to George Smith for providing the details above, and also for his reminiscences of the 1930s.  George describes Saughton Hall as:

"a derelict building which teased my juvenile imagination.  It was turreted and reminiscent of Dracula or perhaps The Munsters. I know it was owned by the Baird family (my mother was a Baird).  The building  was used as accommodation during the 1908 Exhibition."

[George Smith, British Columbia, Canada - Dec 2004]

Ken Smith of Calgary, Alberta, Canada  recalls a story of an apparition:

"a 'white lady', which caused a stir at a concert in the park some time just before the Hall was demolished by the Royal Engineers and the Fire Brigade in 1952"

[Ken Smith, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Feb 2005  -  no relation to George Smith, above]