The Tower Portobello, Respecting the Stories Built in Stone

Tucked away on Beach Lane, behind the famous Portobello Promenade; The Tower is one of Portobello’s most intriguing historic buildings. Built in the late 18th century by lawyer John Cunningham, the octagonal, castellated structure is believed to contain stones salvaged from older Edinburgh buildings cleared for the South Bridge project. In other words, it’s a physical patchwork of the city’s past.

Over the years, The Tower has been many things — a summerhouse, a home to a world-renowned magician, a hotel, a store room... Yet it has retained its striking character, now protected as a Category B listed building.

Buildings like The Tower remind us that heritage isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about identity. They give texture to our streets and connect us to the people who came before. In an age when development often means demolition - acknowledging and caring for such places is an act of respect: for craftsmanship, for history, and for the stories written into the very walls of our communities.

When the long renovation began on our stunning building, we knew it would take years before the building was deemed "liveable" let alone "luxury". But we all took the stance that, if done properly, these stones would be standing here long after we have all gone- so whats an extra 5, 10 years? This is our legacy, and one that will last.

Why Scottish History Matters

Scotland’s story is written in its landscape and its architecture — from medieval castles and crofts to tenements and town halls. Each building tells a chapter about resilience, innovation, and identity. The Tower may not be as grand as Edinburgh Castle or as ancient as Skara Brae, but it carries the same spirit of continuity that defines Scotland’s built heritage.

Respecting these structures helps preserve more than just stonework; it safeguards language, craft, and memory. When old buildings disappear, we lose reference points — not only for what came before, but for who we are now. In towns like Portobello, where seaside charm meets urban change, heritage provides a steady heartbeat amid modern development.

Scotland’s architecture has always evolved through reuse — from stones carried across generations to designs that merge tradition with progress. The Tower stands as a reminder that the past doesn’t need to be replaced to make way for the future. Instead, it can be restored, reimagined, and lived in anew.

A Shared Responsibility

Preserving Scotland’s history isn’t just the job of heritage groups or councils. It belongs to everyone who values place and story. Visiting, learning about, and supporting historic sites — even small ones like The Tower — helps ensure that the next generation inherits more than photographs and plaques. They inherit a living connection to where they come from.

Because in the end, buildings like The Tower don’t just belong to history — they belong to us.