(L-R) Katy Ralph, COO at Ralph Sayer; MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton; Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at Ralph Sayer at Hillside Road earlier this year.
THE first phase of a former Scottish army headquarters in Edinburgh has been transformed from a derelict barracks into a thriving new community.
Craigiehall Meadows, formerly Craigiehall Barracks, has now reached a major milestone with Hillside Road, the first phase of the development to come to market, now being completely sold out.
In summer 2024, work began to breathe new life into 78 long-abandoned houses that once housed generations of army families. Just over a year on, the first phase has seen 26 homes sold, worth a combined £7,185,000, and is already home to a thriving community of 53 people.
Tzana Webster, Head of estate agency at Ralph Sayer, which oversees all sales at Craigiehall Meadows, said, “When work first began just over a year ago, we knew we had a huge challenge ahead of us to bring this site to life and create something really special.
“The whole team has been incredible. Together, we’ve taken what was once an empty, forgotten place and turned it into one of Edinburgh’s most sought-after new communities in a truly beautiful location.
“To have sold out Hillside Road in just over a year is amazing. We always believed this would be a popular development, but the demand has gone far beyond what we imagined.
“Now, seeing this part of the development alive with families settling in, first-time buyers putting down roots and young professionals building their futures, all so happy in their new homes, makes every bit of the hard work worthwhile.”
The second phase of the development at Craigiehall Meadows launched in May, introduced two new streets, Riverside Road. and Primrose Drive. Riverside Road features 27 detached homes, 21 four-bedroom properties in the Holly, Hazel, Oak and Yew styles, along with six five-bedroom homes in the Pine and Alder styles.
A short walk away, Primrose Drive offers eight ‘substantial’ five-bedroom Willow homes. Together, the 35 new homes combine generous space, landscaped gardens, high-quality finishes and modern, energy-efficient features, with prices ranging from £550,000 to £600,000.
Tzana added, “Hillside Road was our core focus for a long time, but now that this chapter has closed, we’re fully focused on driving forward with phase two and we’re confident Riverside Road and Primrose Drive will be every bit as successful.
“We’ve already seen an incredible amount of interest in these homes, and it’s easy to understand why. They’re spacious, beautifully finished and set in a location that’s perfect for families who want both room to grow and a real sense of community.
“With larger detached homes, landscaped gardens and the backdrop of the River Almond and surrounding woodlands, this next chapter offers something really special, and we can’t wait to welcome the next group of buyers into Craigiehall Meadows.”
Craigiehall Meadows is the latest chapter in the long story of a site that once played a central role in Scotland’s military history. Established in 1939 to house army families, it became the Scottish Army Headquarters in 1951 and was active for decades, with regiments including The Black Watch based there until the barracks closed in 2019.