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The pub’s story
The Raeburn is a bar, restaurant and ten-bedroom hotel inside a Category B listed house built in 1832. Historic Environment Scotland records the building as Raeburn House, formerly Somerset Cottage, with a rusticated ground floor, iron balconies and single-storey wings. The date belongs to the house, not to the current hospitality business. After a long period of disuse, a major conversion created the present bar, dining rooms, library, private dining and bedrooms. A 2014 design account records the retained staircase, west patio and new internal arrangement. The public bar is the lively centre, while the garden and club rooms support dining and the terraces add space in better weather. The value here is the contrast between a sober Georgian exterior and a busy modern venue inside. Look up at the balcony ironwork before going through the central door.
What to notice
- 01
The 1832 date is the documented building date, not a claim that the current bar opened then.
- 02
Notice the three iron balconies, rusticated ground floor and twin tall lanterns on the main facade.
- 03
The public bar, garden room, club room and terraces create different settings within one venue.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Raeburn House, formerly Somerset Cottage, was built as a Georgian residence.
Historic Environment Scotland listed the house at Category B.
The operator’s brochure says the building stood disused for more than ten years before conversion.
A major conversion created the current hotel, bar, dining rooms, library, private dining and terraces.
A design review documented the retained staircase, west patio and new hospitality layout.
The venue continues to operate as a ten-bedroom hotel with a public bar, dining rooms and outdoor terraces.
Sources & confidence
Historic Environment Scotland establishes the 1832 house, its original names, architectural details and Category B listing. The current venue site confirms the ten bedrooms, public bar, dining rooms, library, private dining and terraces. DRAM independently documents the 2014 design and conversion, while the operator brochure records the preceding disuse and refurbishment. Current official material supplies the most recent standard opening schedule located, although service periods within the hotel can differ. The app treats 1832 strictly as the building date.
Research reviewed
- Raeburn House, formerly Somerset CottageHistoric Environment Scotlandheritage
Supports1832 building date, Category B status and architectural description.
- The RaeburnThe Raeburnofficial
SupportsCurrent identity, hotel, public bar, dining rooms, library, private dining and terraces.
- Design Focus: The Raeburn, EdinburghDRAM Scotlandeditorial
SupportsIndependent account of the 2014 conversion, retained staircase, patio and internal arrangement.
- The Raeburn brochureThe Raeburnofficial
SupportsOperator account of prolonged disuse and the complete 2014 refurbishment.
- The Raeburn festive brochureThe Raeburnofficial
SupportsMost recent official standard opening schedule located, separate from named festive exceptions.
- Raeburn, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsIndependent venue record, address and public-house context.
- The Raeburn map featureOpenStreetMapappearance
SupportsMapped position and coordinates at the western end of Raeburn Place.
