Day 53
St Ninian’s Manse
Said to be the oldest building in Leith, St Ninian’s Manse was first built in 1493, the same year as its associated chapel. Both chapel and manse were constructed by order of the Abbot of Holyrood Abbey, which had been granted a substantial portion of land in Leith at its foundation in 1128. The manse was substantially enlarged with a four-storey extension completed in 1600, not long before the adjacent chapel was converted into North Leith’s first parish church. The religious function of the site was clearly expressed in the centrally placed inscription ‘BLESSED AR THEY YAT HEIR YE VORD OF GOD AND KEIP IT LUK XI 1600’, still visible today. The archway underneath this message is believed to have acted as an entrance to the church. The final major addition to the manse was the prominent five-storey stair tower, built in 1675 and topped with a Dutch-style belfry.
Image from 2019 post-restoration, provided by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust
The site continued in religious use until the early 19th century. As a result of the parish’s growing population, a new North Leith Parish Church was constructed in Madeira Street and opened in 1816. The St Ninian’s site was then sold and the church demolished in 1825 to make way for Quayside Mills. After this, the building remained in industrial use until the late 20th century, when it fell into disrepair and was gradually abandoned.
In 1996, St Ninian’s Manse and Quayside Mills were purchased by the Cockburn Conservation Trust, who oversaw the site’s complete restoration. Various 19th and 20th century extensions were demolished in order to reveal the older parts of the building. In accordance with surviving evidence found on the building’s exterior, the manse was covered in a traditional lime render and a replica gilded copper finial and weathervane were placed atop its belfry (the originals having been removed to the National Museum of Scotland circa 1900 in order to preserve them).
St Ninian’s Manse was converted into offices and Quayside Mills into desirable waterfront flats. Following the merger between the Cockburn Conservation Trust and the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust in 2010, the latter acquired ownership of St Ninian’s Manse and continues to oversee its upkeep today.
A huge thanks to the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust for providing the images and text for Day 53 of 100 Days of Leith. To find out more about what they do and how to help conserve, use and explore these wonderful buildings, have a look at their website below.