Restoration

Riddle’s Court has re-opened following a painstaking £6m restoration by our parent charity, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust.

An A-listed 16^th century courtyard house in Edinburgh’s Old Town World Heritage Site, Riddle's Court is a unique survival and contains significant architectural features including a rare 16^th century painted board and beam ceiling, an early 17th century plaster ceiling and a late 19th century hand-painted ceiling by T.K.Bonnar.

The restoration process uncovered many long-forgotten features, such as the 16^th century fire place from the time of the King James Banquet hidden behind a Victorian hearth. In every corner, behind every plaster wall, lay more clues to the building’s centuries of evolution and the generations of very different occupants.

Throughout the project, the architects and SHBT worked closely with restoration and archaeological specialists, employing sensitive and often innovative techniques to respectfully unearth and restore the many chapters of Riddle’s Court history.

In this section we offer a glimpse into the restored building, but should you wish to find out more regarding the work of SHBT, techniques employed or specific aspects of the building, please do not hesitate to contact us.