St Andrew’s House, Calton Jail and the ‘Death Cell’
St Andrews House is one of the most important historic buildings in Scotland and its ‘Category A’ status defines it as a structure of international importance.
What may not be immediately clear to those working or visiting the building is that St Andrews House is built atop two of Edinburgh’s most contentious and notorious buildings, The Bridewell and Carlton Jail.
Calton Jail floor plan overlayed on Bridewell Jail floor plan
The first known building on the site of the current St Andrew’s House was the infamous, yet innovative Bridewell Jail, Edinburgh’s first dedicated prison. Built in 1795 the Bridewell featured a semi-circular design, which allowed the guards (from a central control room) to keep eyes on all the prisoners at once.
Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that the capacity of Edinburgh’s prison was far too little and that extensive renovation and extension works were required. After several years of deliberation and delay, the soon to be Calton Jail was commissioned, with it opening in 1817.
Calton Jail, Edinburgh, a place of infamy and public dislike viewed from Edinburgh Old Town
This structure housed some of the worst criminals in Edinburgh, including the infamous Burke and Hare who resided at the prison in 1828. With such characters in residence, Calton Jail was a formidable prison designed to ensure that unsavoury characters would never escape. It was also the place where the very worst criminals were put to death for their crimes.
Executions had been taking place on Calton Hill for centuries prior to the jails, with there being a Gibbet erected in 1554. It is believed that to this day there are some 10 condemned prisoners still buried beneath the West car park, although they were buried with their feet facing towards the sky as no church would accept the bodies of the condemned.
Courtyard of Calton Jail Prior to Demolition
Whilst most of the Jail was demolished to make way for St Andrew’s House the outer curtain wall towering over Waverley Station was retained due to the outstanding design and workmanship, and it was during a routine survey of these walls that Desmonde Associates noticed a window, hidden behind ivy that did not appear on our records.
After extensive research it became clear that this well fortified window served as the Death Cell of Calton Jail, in which condemned prisoners would await their final journey to the hangman’s noose.
Part of the Cell remains accessible within SAH and until recently was used for storage. It is a tiny room, surrounded by imposing, thick walls and there is an unmistakable heavy atmosphere when one steps inside.
By combining old and new drawings of St Andrew’s House and using 3D computer modelling Desmonde Associates has been able to create a detailed model of the cell and discovered that there may be an additional part of it that has been hidden for decades.
As an important part of Scotland’s History, we hope to learn more about this structure in the future and look forward to telling you more.