Dean Village is a picturesque village located in the city of Edinburgh, just minutes walk from the city centre. It is situated on the Water of Leith, a river that flows through the city, and was once a separate village but is now part of the city.
The history of Dean Village dates back to the 12th century when it was known as “Dene.” At that time, it was a rural area located outside the city walls of Edinburgh. The village was an important site for milling due to its location on the Water of Leith, which provided a source of water power for the mills.
In the 16th century, Dean Village became part of the city of Edinburgh, and by the 19th century, it had become a bustling industrial area with numerous mills, factories, and warehouses. The village was a major centre for the production of textiles, paper, and flour, and the mills and factories provided employment for thousands of workers.
By the early 20th century, however, the industrial activity in Dean Village had declined, and many of the mills and factories were abandoned.
In the 1960s, however, there was a renewed interest in the historic architecture of Edinburgh, and many of the buildings in Dean Village were restored and renovated. Today, the village is a popular tourist destination, known for its picturesque streets, historic buildings, and scenic location on the Water of Leith.
Some of the notable buildings in Dean Village include Well Court, a block of tenement flats built in the 1880s, and the Thomas Telford-designed Dean Bridge, an imposing architectural masterpiece, completed in 1831 and standing 30m high over the Water of Leith.
About Well Court
Well Court is a historic building complex located in the Dean Village area of Edinburgh. The complex was commissioned in 1883 by Sir John Findlay, the then owner of The Scotsman Newspaper, and was finished in 1886. It was originally built to house the local workers of Dean Village. The architect was Sydney Mitchell, and the building is considered one of the finest examples of late Victorian architecture in the city.
The buildings in Well Court are arranged around a central courtyard and feature a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. The exterior of the building is decorated with intricate carvings and sculptures and carved red sandstone commemorative plaques. There is a clock tower which rises above what was once the social hall. The font situated in the front private garden area of Well Court was brought from nearby Belford Church when it was converted into a hostel in 1889.
Whilst the building fell into disrepair, in the 1980s the complex was restored and converted into luxury apartments. In 2007, Edinburgh World Heritage and the owners of the building funded a major restoration of Well Court, using only traditional materials. These included repairs to the stonework, roof, windows, clock tower and communal areas. Today, it is considered one of the most desirable residential addresses in Edinburgh.
