Description of the attraction
Gladstones Land is a 17th century residential building located in the heart of Edinburgh, on the Royal Mile. The house was built in 1550, but was bought and rebuilt in 1617 by the prosperous Edinburgh merchant Thomas Gladstanes. Gladstanes not only lived in the house, but also rented out apartments, and the convenient location - on the Royal Mile - and good apartments - attracted wealthy tenants. In the house lived: another merchant, minister, knight and guild master. At that time, the territory of Edinburgh was limited by the city walls, there was not enough space for building, and houses were built mainly multi-storey, they were called "lenda". In Gladstones Land, six stories are the average house, with some buildings up to fourteen stories high.
In 1934, the house was ordered to be demolished, but it was bought by the National Trust for Scotland. The Foundation has completely renovated two floors of the building, and during the restoration process, original Renaissance ceiling paintings were discovered. Tourists can get a complete picture of the life of Edinburgh in the 17th century - open hearths, lack of water, cramped conditions. The apartments contain furniture and furnishings of that time. During the tourist season, excursions are conducted by guides in historical costumes.
A shoemaker's workshop was recreated on the first floor of the building, and a gilded hawk spread its wings over the door. It is believed that the owner's surname comes from the Scottish word "gled" - a hawk.
By the middle of the 18th century, the Old Town ceased to be a prestigious residential area, wealthy people moved to the New Town. The Georgian House has been recreated by the National Trust in Charlotte Square, and tourists can see firsthand the striking contrast between these two typical residential buildings of their time. </ P
