There are so many sites around Scotland that have stood tall for centuries, and they all tend to have a unique back story with historic ties and origins over the years. What might surprise you is just what those uses have been, and in this article, we?re exploring iconic Scottish buildings to uncover their original purpose compared to their current use.
Timberyard
The Timberyard restaurant in Edinburgh was used as a site for Lawson?s Timber, as some locals will be able to recall. But that wasn?t how life started for this warehouse building. In fact, the brick warehouse started out in the 19th century as a props and costume store!
There?s also a space separate from the main restaurant, called ?The Shed?, a bare brick outhouse which has a wood burning stove and caters for up to 10 guests. The chopped logs which feature frequently in the décor nod to the site?s most recent use, and less so to its origins. As for the food, this one is certainly as intricate and unique as the building?s history, with fresh, foraged ingredients on offer. The Timberyard also grows its own herbs and ingredients, as well as filtering and bottling its own water.
Cairn Hotel Edinburgh
William H. Playfair designed the building which now houses one of the most striking hotel Edinburgh has to offer in 1822 by. You may recognise Playfair?s name, as he also designed the stunning National Monument in the capital city, as well as the National Gallery.

The hotel is part of a larger string of other sites on ...