Inveresk House
Inveresk Village,
Musselburgh,
Scotland

Perfect for those wanting to stay for bed and breakfast in a truly historical house (dating from 1597), surrounded by 3 acres of woodland and gardens, just 15 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh.

Alice and Johnny Chute live at Inveresk House as their family home, and provide bed and breakfast and a warm welcome to visitors.

Bedrooms are furnished comfortably with traditional furniture and chintz curtains. They have bathrooms or shower rooms en suite, television, tea and coffee making facilities, hair-dryers, etc.

All around the house the walls are hung with an interesting art collection including Alice's own paintings.

Right;
Drawing Room.

Guests are also welcome to make use of the magnificent drawing room whose great semi-circular bay and windows overlooks the garden.

Right;
Dining Room.

Breakfast is served in the Dining Room. A good breakfast with emphasis on health; with porridge, cereals, cooked Scottish breakfasts, toast, breads, fruit and yoghurt, all served with freshly brewed coffee or tea (regular or herbal).

Alice is happy to prepare for special diets if you give her notice.

Bed and breakfast:
£50 per person per night (based on two people sharing)
£65 single occupancy
£120 - £140 family room
Low season (October - March, except Christmas, New Year and Easter) discount: 3rd night 50% reduction.

No smoking please.
Mastercard, Visa, Euro and Delta accepted

Right;
Entrance Hall.

Above the front door is carved:
- 1643 -
"In Hoc Domo Nemo Nisi Veritas et Pacis Studiosus Intrabit"
Translated:
"No-one shall enter this house unless with peaceful and truthful intensions"

Inveresk House was built originally by Adam Colt as the manse for nearby St Michael's Church in 1597. He was appointed by King James VI as the minister, and the King was a frequent visitor. During the ministry of Adam Colt's son, the present entrance hall and staircase were built. The date of this improvement, 1643, is carved over the front door.

In 1650 Oliver Cromwell made Inveresk House his headquarters for two months while his troops were stationed at nearby Musselburgh. The present kitchen is thought to have been his campaign room.

Nearly 100 years later, in 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have visited prior to the Battle of Prestonpans.

But the history of Inveresk House is founded on more ancient origins; It was the site of an important Roman camp, the end of a Roman road from the south (roughly the present A68) which passed through Hadrians Wall, to Trimontium (Melrose) and on to Inveresk, the Roman's base on the Firth of Forth, and the Eastern fort of the Antonine Wall.

Right;
Oak-panelled staircase and portrait of Robbie Burns.

Towards the end of the 18th c., during improvements to the gardens, and a few years before the grand bow fronted Dining room and Drawing room were added, remains of Roman baths were found only 30 yards in front of the house. St Michael's Church itself had been built on the site of a Roman Temple, and Inveresk House which is situated between the two was probably at the centre of the Roman Garrison. A Roman passage under the house was also discovered.

You can explore the garden which still has some remains of the Roman Bath underfloor heating system, as well as what was probably the original Roman water supply, called "The Fairy Well"