Friday October 23rd 2026
Mavisbank House, Lasswade
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Plans to save historic Mavisbank House in Midlothian have taken a major step forward after Scottish Ministers approved a compulsory purchase order for the long-neglected building.
Midlothian Council’s order will allow the Category A-listed property to be transferred to conservation charity The Landmark Trust, paving the way for work to secure and stabilise the historic house.
The Scottish Government’s Planning Directorate highlighted the public benefit of repairing a building of national significance, as well as the lack of known ownership and repeated attempts to identify an owner.
No objections were lodged against the compulsory purchase order, which ministers deemed proportionate and in the public interest.
Designed by renowned Scottish architect William Adam for John Clerk of Penicuik, Mavisbank House was built between 1723 and 1737 and is regarded as one of Scotland’s most important architectural landmarks.
However, the building has stood derelict since a fire gutted it in 1973. Ownership difficulties have prevented a viable restoration plan from progressing for more than four decades, despite years of campaigning to save the property.
The house was also a national finalist in the BBC’s *Restoration* series in 2003, which asked the public to vote for the historic buildings they most wanted to see rescued.
Following approval of the compulsory purchase order, the legal process to transfer the property is expected to proceed, with Midlothian Council planning to pass ownership to The Landmark Trust through a back-to-back agreement.
The charity has launched a fundraising campaign for the first phase of a two-stage rescue project, building on a £5.3 million pledge from the National Heritage Memorial Fund.
The initial phase will involve acquiring the property, creating a new access drive and securing and stabilising the surviving structure. These works have already received planning consent.
The charity said it needs to raise the final five per cent of funding over the coming months before work can begin.
A second phase is envisaged to restore the main house for use as holiday accommodation, alongside regular public access.
Midlothian Council leader Councillor Kelly Parry said the decision marked a significant moment for the building and those who had campaigned for its future.
She said: “The Scottish Government’s confirmation of the Compulsory Purchase Order clears the way for this nationally significant building to be brought back from the brink and safeguarded for future generations.
“After decades of uncertainty, we can now look forward with confidence to seeing it protected and given a sustainable future.”
Councillor Parry thanked The Landmark Trust, the Mavisbank Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, local campaigners and community supporters for their efforts to secure the building’s future.
Dr Anna Keay, director of The Landmark Trust, said the approval was a breakthrough after decades of uncertainty over ownership.
She said the charity was ready to take on the derelict house and begin stabilisation work to protect it for future generations.
Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, said the decision would allow the charity to progress plans to safeguard the building and ensure it remained accessible to the public.
Anyone wishing to support the restoration campaign can donate through The Landmark Trust’s Mavisbank House appeal.
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