St Ninian's Manse, Edinburgh
St Ninian's Manse stood at the head of the first bridge to North Leith and marks its first religious foundation. It contains masonry from the only pre-reformation building to survive in the area and is an unusual example of a 17th century clergy building associated with an urban church.
The adaptation of the manse to offices was based upon documentary and physical research. The stone ridges that had been removed and used on the adjacent granary building were reinstated. The belfry openings which had been boarded up using the original louvers were re-set in their proper position. The original gilded copper weathercock, in possession of the National Museum of Scotland since 1900, was examined before making the reproduction. Fragments of the original limewash were uncovered and one of the louver panels was analysed to reveal the history of the paint layers.
The interior was conserved and inappropriate modern additions removed. The lime plaster was reinstated directly onto the wall in the earlier parts of the building and on chestnut lathing in the 18th century part. A conference room was formed and a reception area stands within the pend that originally led to the interior of the church. Work was completed in 1997.
