An 18th century masonic temple on the fringes of Edinburgh with links to the Nazi surrender during World War Two has gone up for sale.
Craigiehall Temple - designed by the same architect who laid out plans for the Palace of Holyroodhouse - sits on the Cammo estate, less than half a mile from where Adolf Hitler’s deputy Rudolf Hess was held after parachuting into Scotland in 1941.
The estate later played host to the signing of the document which confirmed the Nazi surrender in Norway.
It has since been converted into an opulent luxury property, but buyers will have to dig deep for the historic A-listed building and adjacent home - with offers starting at over £895,000.
The temple, which is now separate from the main Craigiehall estate, was built by politician Charles Hope-Weir - who inherited the estate from his uncle, the second Marquis of Annandale.
Hope-Weir was inspired by the buildings he had observed on an 11-year ‘grand tour’ of Europe between 1744 and 1755 and instructed architect Robert Adam to build an extension of the main Craigiehall building - including a bridge, bath house, grotto and temple.
Originally built in 1759, it is thought the neo-grecian style pillared portico by Sir William Bruce, who also penned the original design for the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, was taken from a gate in the forecourt of the main house to create an entrance to the building.
The estate was later requisitioned by the British Army at the start of the second world war, when a variety of regiments were stationed there during the conflict.
According to a history of the estate penned by author C.B. Innes in 1996, Hess was held on site after parachuting into the country in a bid to negotiate peace with Britain in 1941.
The temple was previously a three-storey structure, but the top floor had to be removed in 1977 after concerns over its proximity to the newly extended runway at the then-Turnhouse Airport.
It has now been converted into a six bedroom luxury home, connected to the temple by a specially designed vestibule.
Estate agents Ralph Hendrie Legal list it as “a unique property combining a contemporary modern house with a circular stone temple originally dating from 1759 - offering a comfortable lifestyle with a versatile historic Temple attached.”
The listing continues: “The extensive property boasts several bedrooms with extensive wrap around gardens, superb views and a rural setting close to central Edinburgh”
You can view the property listing here.
