Sir Thomas Hope

Those who come to visit my Institute have a tendency just to look to the right when they come through the archway. Instead. they should look left, where they will see the fine Dutch fronted house dating from around 1740, which belonged to Sir Thomas Hope, who was responsible for draining the Borough Loch and turn it into the park that we now know as The Meadows.

Some aspects of its intriguing history are explained here. One of the most memorable things about it is that Sir Thomas Hope employed William Burnes, who was the father of Robbie Burns. Indirectly giving us, in IASH, a great connection to the Scottish bard.

Photographed today on a rainy day - but taking advantage of the fact that the absence of leaves brings the house much better into view. I guess I get a bit blase about working in a Georgian square.