July 12 2024

A B-listed Edinburgh tourist attraction, formerly a reservoir, is opening itself up to visitors by carving out a new pedestrian entrance off Castlehill.

Tartan Weaving Mill has appointed Convery Prenty Shields Architects to punch a hole in the citadel-like structure on Ramsay Lane to serve as a new primary entrance to the attraction. Ornamented with bespoke wrought iron gates the opening dovetails with a reduction in the size of the existing goods entrance to serve as a secondary point of access, the addition of conservation style roof lights and a custom exterior lighting scheme. 

The iceberg property is arranged over five levels with a museum, currently closed, in the basement which is not apparent from the street.

Outlining the problem the applicant wrote: "From the street level the visitor has no sense of the immense floor space contained within the building. Getting people to move around the building, based on its restricted and convoluted current layout is a challenge. The current entrance brings people in and out through one corner of the building. The concentration of people in this area often creates log jams and deters people from exploring the floors of the building further."

As part of the works, the museum will be reimagined to tell the story of an important piece of the city's public health heritage and its role in piping fresh water from the Pentland hills to power industry and banish disease.

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