“an old friend and who from the peculiarity and originality of his genius is one of the most entertaining companions I have ever known …”

This is the description by Sir Walter Scott in his diary of March 26th 1826 of the first known inhabitant of 4 Hill Street, Patrick Murray of Simprim, son of the Lord Elibank. He is the first of a list of people, now long gone, who have lived and worked in this atmospheric house. From Captains to advocates, Writers of the Signet to single ladies, 4 Hill Street has been both a home and an office and now enters a new phase of its life as a guesthouse and home combined. Number 4 was built as part of the exciting development of Edinburgh in the last part of the 1700s which continued well into the next century. It has seen 212 years come and go, monarchs and Prime Ministers, wars and celebrations, but has retained its elegance and character throughout. Apart from some restructuring of the third floor in the 1850s, it has remained largely untouched and whilst some of its features have moved in and out of fashion, they have been left in situ or covered over to be discovered in 2005 when the Robertsons received the keys. We have restored the house to its former glory - to be enjoyed by our guests and generations to come.