Merchiston

Merchiston is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland, located to the south-west of the city centre. It forms part of the city’s southern districts and is bordered by Bruntsfield to the east, Morningside to the south, and the Water of Leith to the west. The area is primarily residential, with Victorian and Edwardian terrace houses alongside more modern flats, and contains several small shops and services around its main streets, including Colinton Road and Merchiston Avenue.

History and landmarks: The name derives from the historic Merchiston estate and its grounds. The most notable landmark is Merchiston Tower, a late medieval tower house that is closely associated with John Napier, the mathematician who developed logarithms. The tower and its grounds reflect the area’s historic roots. Within Merchiston, Merchiston Castle School, an independent day and boarding school, operates on a tree-lined site. The district is also home to educational facilities such as Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston Campus, which provides university services and teaching spaces in the area.

Transport and amenities: Merchiston is well served by bus routes linking to Edinburgh city centre and other districts. It is within walking distance of Bruntsfield Links and the Water of Leith walkway, providing access to leisure spaces along Edinburgh’s network of parks and riverside paths.