The beginnings of Mavisbank all started with a man named Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, he was the second Baronet of Penicuik and a prominent figure in the Scottish Enlightenment.
He was known to be a creative man, with a great love for music and a keen interest in architecture.
In 1722 he inherited his father's estates and began planning his new residence. John Clark sought out the assistance of a well-known architect William Adam to collaborate on the design in the 1730s.
Located just outside Loanhead the impressive country home was used as a retreat from the polluted, busy atmosphere of Edinburgh.
The house passed out of the Clerk family's hands in 1815
In 1878 Mavisbank House was acquired by the Mavisbank Company Ltd for £25,000 to be established into an asylum for wealthy people.
It was renamed New Saughton Hall in 1907 and was managed by pioneering Psychiatrist Dr John Batty Tuke and his son.
At this time it was the only private mental hospital in Scotland.
New Saughton Hall housed many medical professionals, Who provided revolutionary care and research into mental health.
One of the most well-known doctors involved with the hospital was Dr Joseph Bell. He was not only a surgeon and lecturer but he was also considered a pioneer in forensic science.
Joseph Bell used methods of observation and deduction on his patients, which impressed one of his students named Arthur Conan Doyle.
The much-loved author of the Sherlock Holmes series, the main character was modelled on the way Joseph Bell worked.
Dr Joseph Bell also gave his analysis of the Ripper murders to Scotland Yard and worked on many high-profile cases.
Another interesting figure of New Saughton Hall was Mary E Burton, the head gardener of 38 years, who was recalled to be the first female Head Gardener in Scotland. Who incorporated gardening into ground breaking treatment for the patients.
In 1953 the Mavisbank Company went into voluntary liquidation and the house was sold to Dr WM Harrows, A former superintendent of the asylum.
A year after acquiring the property, he received a grant from the Ministry of Works
to restore the house to its original appearance, and renamed Mavisbank House once again.
From here on in is where the fate of this beautiful building went into decline when sold to Archie Stevenson, who neglected the property.
In 1973 the house was ravaged by a fire, leaving it in a bad state of repair. All that remained was the shell of the house which has remained in a derelict condition ever since.
There have been many campaigns since to have this historic building restored, more information regarding this can be found on the Mavisbank Trust website -
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