Silverknowes

Until the late 19th century, the area of farmland to the north of Davidson's Mains was known as "Randalistoun" or "Randerstoune", formerly Muirhouse Mansion and Estate Farmlands. Early development was on the part of the Caledonian Railway, which constructed a railway line to Barnton via Davidson's Mains. The former route lies to the south of the estate, and is now used as a cycle path. In 1934, Glasgow tenement builders McTaggart & Mickel purchased land to the west of the estate, which led to the construction of Silverknowes Avenue, Crescent, Drive, Hill (formerly Circus), Loan and Terrace (former home of Cramond Curling Club Curling Ponds & Ice Rink) and Lauriston Farm Road. The homes proved popular, and building work resumed after the Second World War.

Housebuilding resumed in 1952 with the construction of Silverknowes Bank, Brae, Court, Eastway, Gardens, Grove, Parkway and Place. These later developments were to the east of Silverknowes Road, which connects Main Street to Silverknowes Promenade. The road narrows as it bridges the former Caledonian Railway line, but the main road was later diverted with the construction of Silverknowes Road East, which connects to Ferry Road. The remaining land was developed as Silverknowes Green, Midway, Southway and View. Silverknowes Dell and Neuk were constructed on land which had been left isolated by the railway.

Lauriston Farm Buildings were used for Farming Purposes until the 1970s, when the Ross Family introduced a Market Garden followed by an Eatery. The Robertson Family then took over Lauriston Farm and turned it into a Restaurant, selling out to Whitbread in the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, Lauriston Farm Restaurant became a Whitbread Brewer's Fayre (1993) before being taken over by Mitchell and Butler, relaunching as The Lauriston Farm Restaurant, which was refurbished in 2019.

The area of Silverknowes, Davidson's Mains, Muirhouse (former home to Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting), Granton, Cramond & Cammo boasts the largest concentration of significant Country Houses in Scotland: Lauriston Castle, with its world-famous Blue John Glass and Furniture Collections, once Owned by John Napier, Inventor of Logarithms & former Home of John Law (economist) of Lauriston, World-Famous in the 18th & 19th Centuries, Chief Financier of France under King Louis XIV, Founder of the Bank of France and Creator of the infamous Mississippi Bubble; Barnton House (a.k.a Cramond Regis), Former Hunting Estate of Kings of Scotland; Muirhouse (now Muirhouse Mansion, formerly known as Randalistoun), Grade A Listed Building, now a Homeless Hostel; Silverknowe House, formerly Silverknowe Hydro Convalescence Home (destroyed by fire in 1960 while being used as Silverknowes Golf Club House); Broomfield House owned by Earl Haig's Sister (which became The Commodore Hotel 1950's to early 2000's, a former Four Star Stakis Hotel, before its current life as a Two Star Hotel come Homeless Hostel, Almond House Lodge Hotel); Granton House (destroyed by fire in 1954 after becoming a Home for the Homeless); Granton Tower; Craigroyston House; Royston House; Cammo House (destroyed by fire in 1978) and Cammo Estate.

Silverknowes boasts Silverknowes Beach and Promenade, which is the most beautiful beach and promenade in Edinburgh, stretching for 3 miles from Cramond Village in the West through Silverknowes to Gypsy Brae Recreational Park and Granton in the East. Silverknowes Beach is tidal and overlooks the magical Cramond Island, which can be accessed across the Drum Sands for four hours twice a day and via Cramond Causeway, built in 1939 by the War Department as part of World War Two Coastal Defences.

To the west of Silverknowes is the historic Lauriston Castle and Estate. Open farmland lies between the northern fringes overlooking Cramond Island. Edinburgh's Most Beautiful Beach and Promenade, Silverknowes Beach and Promenade is in sight of Lauriston Castle and stretches 3 miles from Granton in the East to Cramond village in the west, hugging the banks of the Firth of Forth with a fabulous award-winning coffee shop in the middle which is well worth a stop, Boardwalk Beach Club – voted Best Cafe in Edinburgh 2018 and VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards Regional Finalist Award 2019 as well as Letters of Thanks for Regenerating Silverknowes Promenade from The Lord Provost of The City Of Edinburgh as well as The Scottish Parliament with thanks from 20 MSP's cross-party. There is a frequent 29 Lothian Bus Service to Silverknowes Promenade from Edinburgh City Centre, taking 20 minutes direct from Edinburgh Waverley Station and 1 hour from Gorebridge, to the south of Edinburgh. It is possible to reach the 18th century Cramond Village using this Silverknowes Promenade. To the east side of Silverknowes Road lies the Silverknowes Golf Club and 18 hole golf course, operated by Edinburgh Leisure.[3] The golf course stretches to the beach. Along Silverknowes Parkway there are also well-used playing fields.

Most of the neighbourhood lies in the catchment area for Davidson's Mains Primary School and the Edinburgh Royal High School in Barnton, one of Scotland's most famous schools, the 28th oldest school in the world, dating back to 1128.

Previously, one of the primary schools serving the area was known as Silverknowes Primary. After its merger with Muirhouse Primary, the land was developed as housing, and now has the address of Silverknowes Eastway. This newly developed area falls within the catchments of Craigroyston Primary & High schools.[4]

Frequent Lothian Buses and First Scotland East buses link Silverknowes to Edinburgh city centre, continuing to:

In 2006, there were plans to place Silverknowes in the new "Forth" local authority voting ward. This outraged residents, who felt it would lead to the breakup of Davidson's Mains as a community. Over 600 objections were sent by members of the community and various local establishments, and Silverknowes became part of "Almond" ward alongside Davidson's Mains, Barnton and Cramond. The area is served by the Davidson's Mains and Silverknowes Association and four City of Edinburgh Councillors, MSP for Edinburgh West and MP for Edinburgh West.