One of Edinburgh's most historic buildings has been put in to the care of Historic Scotland, after its owner lovingly restored it.

Moubray House, on the city's Royal Mile, is an A-listed building with origins in the 15th century.

Inside, it reflects the fashions of interior design from its Scottish Renaissance board-and-beam painted ceiling to its later plaster ceiling moulded with exotic fruits and flowers.

Owner Debra Stonecipher recently carried out painstaking restoration work to reveal and conserve many of its period features and was keen to see the property pass to Historic Scotland, the Scottish Government arm responsible for safeguarding the country's historic environment.


Ms Stonecipher said: "It has been a privilege and joy to be able to live in, and to restore, a house that captures over 500 years of Edinburgh's history and culture here on the Royal Mile. I am thrilled to have come home to my Scottish roots, and now to give, in my grandmother's name, this very special and cherished house back to the people of Scotland for all time."

This unique agreement was negotiated and overseen by the agency's outgoing Chief Executive Ruth Parsons.

Once the house is in the agency's care, it will be operated as a new visitor facility on the Royal Mile, offering specialist pre-booked.

Elizabeth McCrone, Historic Scotland’s Head of Listing and Designed Landscapes, added: "We are thrilled that Debra has taken this step and to see this exceptional property pass into our care. Moubray House provides us with a snapshot of how properties in Edinburgh's Old Town were built and evolved over the centuries."

(NE)