8-18 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh

This former townhouse at 8-18 Blackfriars Street in Edinburgh dates back to the late 16th century, with alterations made in the 17th century. The building has four storeys and a deep basement, situated on sloping ground. It features a projecting three-storey stair tower and an ogee-headed doorway. The exterior is constructed from rubble with predominantly raised ashlar margins and has irregular fenestration. The principal and rear elevations display evidence of earlier openings, which are marked by segmental relieving arches.

To the left, there is a later addition that is two storeys high with a basement, made from squared and snecked rubble, and includes nine bays. This addition has a single projecting bay at the far right and a wide band course between the first and second floors, with regular fenestration.

Inside, the principal ground floor room retains an original fluted-columned fireplace and an ogee-headed niche to the left. The wooden lintels of earlier window openings are exposed, while the rest of the interior has been extensively refurbished.