The Haymarket Hotel Through History
The Haymarket Hotel has been owner operated by the Logan family since the early 90s. A true family business with father, two sons and daughter-in-law on site on any given day. The Georgian buildings themselves however have a much longer history than this.
We are located in West Coates, a residential district of central Edinburgh and the capital of Scotland. It is in proximity to Haymarket railway station, west of the Old Town, within the UNECO world heritage protected New Town of Edinburgh and just off the A9.
It is by this route that nearly all persons arriving from the west of Scotland enter Edinburgh. Georgian townhouses line the broad avenues and open squares of the largest complete example of town planning from the Georgian period anywhere in the world. With symmetrical streets, elegant squares, and graceful terraces which epitomise the architectural ideals of the enlightenment era it seldom fails to ignite feelings of awe and admiration.
The area Coates is listed in records as early as 1581. The name possibly derived from the early Scots cotes, meaning cottages, enclosures or shelters for animals, or it could be a family name.
Edinburgh Old Town was dramatically expanded with the creation of the New Town, a marvel of urban planning and neoclassical design. The brainchild of architect James Craig, the 1767 plans were envisioned as a grand departure from the crowded and unsanitary conditions of the Old Town.
The New Town, and the high quality of the architecture, set standards for Scotland and exerted a major influence on the development of urban architecture and town planning throughout Europe. Edinburgh’s New Town was expanded in several phases throughout the 19th century, and today stands as witness to the Enlightenment ideals of order, beauty, and progress.
Its broad avenues, lined with Georgian townhouses, create a sense of space and order. When constructed the townhouses were built in the most magnificent style and were readily purchased and leased by the upper echelons of society as primary residences or secondary city dwellings to their county manor houses and estates.
Townhouses are a style of multi-floor home that shares one or two walls with adjacent properties. Each has its own entrance and private garden, as well as typical features of the Georgian period such as tall sash windows on the first two floors and smaller windows above.
The six New Town townhouses that make up The Haymarket Hotel have a historic ‘B’ listing. Listed areas provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest and protect the area from modernisation. There are currently 39 conservation areas in Edinburgh, and each has its own unique character and appearance.
Originally, six separate townhouses, now named Haymarket, Buchan, Stuart, Lovat, Boisdale and Lairg were once each an individual dwelling. Each would’ve consisted of a main entrance, now our reception the foyers. These grand entrances would’ve opened into a formal reception room, the grandest room of the house where visitors would have been entertained. These rooms are situated at the front, street side of the buildings and are now our Logan’s Bar and deluxe guestrooms. Leading on from there to the back of the townhouses overlooking the gardens would’ve been the dining room.
The first floor would’ve been dedicated to grand bedrooms for the residence of the house enjoying the tall bay sash windows making the most of the sunlight and rear rooms enjoying the views over the private formal gardens. Continuing up to the second floor, these four smaller rooms with smaller windows would’ve been reserved for guests and their valets.
Lower ground rooms with a separate street entrance would’ve been the kitchens and staff areas and living quarters.
Some interesting artefacts remain from this time that an eagle-eyed guests might spot. Outside the main entrances are cast iron foot scrapers to rid your boots of evidence of horses on the street before entering. On the first-floor landings, overhanging the railings is a very convenient shelf that butlers would’ve used to rest trays on when delivering tea and refreshments to the lords and ladies upstairs. Lastly, outside many doors you will find gold bell callers which would’ve been used to call for butler and maid service. Unfortunately, these are now unmanned so if you require anything during your visit please see reception, and as always, enjoy your stay!
