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Latitude: 55.9897 / 55°59'22"N
Longitude: -3.3949 / 3°23'41"W
OS Eastings: 313080
OS Northings: 678294
OS Grid: NT130782
Mapcode National: GBR 20.VR80
Mapcode Global: WH6S9.TQL2
Plus Code: 9C7RXJQ4+V3
Entry Name: Black Castle, 38-40 High Street, South Queensferry
Listing Name: 38 and 40 High Street and 21 East Terrace, Black Castle
Listing Date: 22 February 1971
Category: A
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 386312
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB40386
Building Class: Cultural
Also known as: South Queensferry, 38 - 40 High Street, Black Castle
ID on this website: 200386312
Location: Edinburgh
County: Edinburgh
Town: Edinburgh
Electoral Ward: Almond
Traditional County: West Lothian
Tagged with: Architectural structure
Dated 1626 at E dormer; later alterations. 2-storey and attic, 3-bay dwelling house. Painted harl; broad painted margins.
N (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: late 18th century central moulded architrave doorpiece; single windows in end bays; 4 1st floor windows; 3 pedimented dormers with scroll cresting; 2 attic windows.
E ELEVATION: single window in right bay at ground, 1st floor and attic.
S ELEVATION: door in right bay at ground; modern forestair to door at 1st floor; outshot to W; irregular fenestration.
W ELEVATION: door in left bay; windows above.
Timber sash and case windows; modern attic windows. Slate roof; crowstepped skews; tall stacks at gableheads.
The dormer pediments are all inscribed: the east one with the date, a love knot and hearts; the centre one with WLMS; the west one with WL and a love knot. The initial WL and MS refer to William Lowrie and his wife Marion Speddie. William's sister-in-law, Janet Lowrie, was condemned to death as a witch and was probably burnt at Ferry Muir, which was where many witches were executed in the 17th century. The house has been much altered: in the 1950s it was used as a Mission Hall (see photograph in NMRS ref. G/WL/179); in the 1970s it was owned by a design consultancy; and in the early 1980s it was converted into 3 residential units. It is probable that the front of the house was once arcaded and it is rumoured that there is a secret stairway and tunnel leading to the shore which would have been used by smugglers. However, no sign of this stairway exists today.
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
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