Cottages And Stable Buildings, House Of The Binns

This is a significant 17th-century mansion house, significantly altered in subsequent centuries. The main block was constructed between 1612 and 1630, and extended around 1670. The north side was remodelled around 1810 in a castellated style by William Burn, creating a three-storey facade with crenellated parapets. The building is harled externally, with a slated roof and dated (1621) pedimented dormers on the south-facing court. Two turnpike stair towers are located on the north side.

The interior is notable for its 17th-century plaster ceilings. A morning room and dining room were added to the court around 1810.

The south-east and south-west wings are partly 17th-century in origin, but were refaced in the castellated style and extended around 1810.

The house was originally built for Thomas Dalyell, a merchant in Edinburgh, who had acquired the land of Binns in 1612. It was extended for his son and heir, General Tam Dalyell (1615-1685), who defeated Covenanters at Rullion Green in Midlothian in November 1666 and raised the Royal Scots Greys here in 1681. Later alterations were made for Sir James, the 5th baronet, and Sir John Graham Dalyell, the 6th baronet (1778-1851), who was an eminent antiquary and zoologist.