18th-Century Calton Hill House for Rent
Rock House is an 18th-century landmark let as three self-catering stays, sleeping two, four or eight, or all fourteen together. Five minutes from Waverley, with the whole city below you.
Built in the 1750s
Rock House is one of Edinburgh’s landmark houses: historically significant, undeniably beautiful and exceptionally located. From its secluded terrace at the foot of Calton Hill it holds a panoramic view over the landmark sites of the city, and yet sits moments from Princes Street.
In 1843 it became the first photography studio in Scotland. Today it welcomes guests again.
Where to Stay
Book a single apartment or take the whole house. Together they sleep up to fourteen.
The House
In 1843 the painter David Octavius Hill met the young engineer Robert Adamson, introduced by the physicist Sir David Brewster. From the elevated light of Rock House they founded the first photography studio in Scotland.
In barely four years they made around 3,000 calotypes: Newhaven fisherfolk, the Scott Monument mid-construction, ministers of the Free Church. It is widely held to be the first substantial body of consciously artistic photography ever made. The house stayed a working studio until the 1950s.
The Location
Rock House sits in a private, secluded pocket of Calton Hill, hidden behind its own gate, yet the city begins at the end of the path. Waverley station, Princes Street and the tram all sit within a short walk, and the Royal Mile is barely ten minutes on foot.
Guest Book
Very close to train station. We walked everywhere, to the Castle and the Royal Mile. Close to stores and restaurants. Wonderful historic landmark, thank you for sharing.
Kathy
This house is such a gem. I hate to tell anyone about it!
Kris
Amazing beautiful place. Like stepping into a more elegant past.
Donald
This is a great home for travellers wanting a true Scottish feel for their stay.
Linda
What a beautiful spot in the city!
Samantha
Ready to see it for yourself?
Art
The house has always made things. In 2017 we invited the Edinburgh-born painter Alastair Gordon to take up the first Rock House artist residency, and he answered with a series named for the chemistry Hill and Adamson used to fix their calotypes.
His work hangs in the house today, alongside drawings made in the Old Calton burial ground just below the garden.
Good to Know
Rock House sits at 28 Calton Hill, in a secluded position at the foot of Calton Hill in central Edinburgh, hidden behind its own gate. Waverley station and Princes Street are both around a five minute walk.
Across the three accommodations the house sleeps up to fourteen. Rock House itself sleeps 8, the Terrace Apartment sleeps 4 and the Photographer’s Studio sleeps 2. The whole property can be booked together for larger groups and celebrations.
Rock House was the studio of David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson, who founded the first photography studio in Scotland here in 1843 and produced around 3,000 calotypes in four years. It remained a working photographic studio until the 1950s, and a plaque on the front of the house marks the partnership.
There is no private car park. Secure public parking is available at the OMNI Centre a few minutes walk away. Most guests find the location so central that they leave the car behind and walk.
Check-in is from 4:00pm and check-out is 10:00am, except in the Terrace Apartment where check-out is 11:00am.
All three accommodations use a moderate policy: a 100% refund up to five days before arrival.
Book Direct
Booking direct with us is always the best rate, and it puts you in touch with the people who look after the house.
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