Grotto, Newhailes, Musselburgh

The Grotto at Newhailes, located in Musselburgh, dates from around 1785 and is part of the pleasure grounds commissioned by Lord Hailes in the 1780s. This square plan rocaille grotto is situated within woodlands to the north of Newhailes House. Currently, it is roofless, and one wall is in a state of dereliction as of 1989. The exterior features sandstone rock-faced rubble walls, interspersed with tufa blocks, and iron rods support the overhanging blocks at the eaves level. The entrance includes a rounded-arch doorway with a coarsely vermiculated surround.

Inside, the grotto was once adorned with decorative sea shell patterns mounted on timber panels, though only remnants of this interior decoration remain scattered in the surrounding woodland.