Inch House

Inch House is an L-shaped tower house from the early 17th century with three floors and an attic, displaying characteristic Scottish architecture of that period. The building combines original features with later alterations across different centuries that have shaped its current form.

It was built in 1617 for James Winram and passed to Sir John Gilmour's ownership in 1660 following the Cromwell occupation period. This change in ownership marked a turning point as the property recovered after years of political disruption.

The name Inch comes from Scottish Gaelic 'innis', meaning dry land near the Braid Burn. Visitors today can see how the building's location relates to the landscape around it and understand its connection to local geography.

The house sits about 2 miles southeast of Edinburgh's city center and operates as a community center offering multiple spaces for different activities. Getting there works best by public transport or prior planning since it sits away from the main tourist areas.

The entrance displays the Gilmour family crest, marking the house's connection to this prominent Scottish family. Renovations in the 1890s by architects MacGibbon and Ross created an interior courtyard that fundamentally reshaped the building's layout at that time.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

GPS coordinates: 55.92500,-3.15897

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06