House Of The Binns

This is a 17th-century mansion, subsequently altered. The main block was built between 1612 and 1630. It is two and a half storeys high and has a harled exterior. The roof is slated with pedimented dormers dated 1621 facing the south court. There are two turnpike stair towers on the north side. The house was extended at both ends around 1670. The north side was remodelled in a castellated style around 1810 by William Burn, creating a three-storey facade with crenellated parapets.

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

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

The house was built for Thomas Dalyell, a merchant in Edinburgh, who 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. Further alterations were made for Sir James, 5th Baronet, and Sir John Graham Dalyell, 6th Baronet (1778-1851), who was an eminent antiquary and zoologist.