Merchiston Tower

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MERCHISTON TOWER

The Tower of Merchiston was built in the middle of the 15th century, either by Andrew Napier, Merchant and Provost of Edinburgh, or by his son, Sir Alexander Napier, Vice-Admiral of Scotland, Controller of the Royal Household of James ll, and twice Provost of Edinburgh, who inherited the estate in 1454. It remained the home of the Napiers of Merchiston until 1647, returned to their ownership for twenty years after 1752, and again for ninety six years after 1818.
Other owners have been Merchiston Castle School (1914) and the Merchant Company of Edinburgh (1930).
Edinburgh Corporation acquired the Tower in 1935 and it lay almost unused until the idea of incorporating it into a technical college was first raised in 1956, and finally approved in 1958.

It was made the centrepiece of that college, which is know Edinburgh's third university, known as Napier University. The tower is located in the university's Merchiston Campus.

Edinburgh Corporation began restoration work in 1958.
Most of the work was carried out by a small group of men under Angus MacDonald, mason foreman, during 1959 - 1964.

For almost two centuries, including the period of John Napier's life, the Tower had remained basically in its original form, although it became clear that repairs must have been carried out after the Bombardment of the Tower in 1572 during the Civil War following the Abdication of Mary Queen of Scots. A culverin ball was found embedded in the core of the eastwall, where it had lodged after bringing down part of the battlements. In the late 17th century, alterations were made to turn the tower into a more fashionable mansion, by removing the vaults, inserting new windows and adding crow-stepped upper works. In the early years of the 19th century, Dr Robert Blair renovated the interior and built a large extension and, in the succeeding 100 years, Merchiston Castle School made numerous alterations and additions.

The restoration work required the carrying out of various investigations.
It was discovered that the Tower was an interesting example of the medieval tower house, being built on the familiar " L " plan with a wing projecting to the north.
It was originally vaulted at he second floor and the roof. Among several remarkable discoveries was the unusual elaboration of the main entrance, which was at second floor level in the south front. The tall shallow recess in the which the doorway is set undoubtedly housed a drawbridge which must have rested upon an outwork some 14 feet above ground level and 10 feet from the Tower. Unfortunately, no trace of this outwork remains.
The Tower is five storeys high, the fifth floor penthouse being added about fifty years after John Napier's death. It is the fifth floor room to which traditional folklore ascribes Napier's magical activities, but this is proved to be inaccurate from the standpoint of the history of the Tower.
The ground and first floors were originally storage areas.
The second floor, originally the main entrance to the Tower, is reached by deep, uneven stairs.

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