Outlook Tower, 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh

Outlook Tower, located at 549 Castlehill in Edinburgh, dates back to the 17th century and has undergone several alterations and additions, notably by David Rhind in 1853 and Robert Wilson in 1896. This five-stage tower features a crenellated parapet with chequer-set machicolation and angle rounds, topped by an octagonal timber caphouse with a crenellated parapet and an ogee dome roof. The building is constructed of coursed ashlar on the west side, with the first four stories on Castlehill being harled and coursed ashlar above, while the east side is made of random rubble. A canted window with a moulded surround is located at the southwest corner on the fifth floor.

On the south elevation facing Castlehill, the tower has a regular arrangement of windows above the first floor, with a cill course at the fourth floor. There is a timber boarded door in a roll-moulded surround at the lower bay on the outer right, with small windows above providing light to the stair. The entrance to Skinner's Close is marked by a segmental-arched surround in the center, and the entrance is set within a projecting crenellated porch featuring chequer-set machicolations on the outer left.

The west elevation, facing Ramsay Lane, shows an advanced bay of the tower to the right, which has a studded timber boarded door in a roll-moulded surround dating from around 1686, topped with a painted and gilded coat of arms in a pediment above. To the left, there is a recessed rear wing. The 1853 additions include 12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows, while the lower sections feature 2-pane timber sash and case windows.