The conservation charity has concluded missives on the sale of the 17th century merchant’s house to Nicholas Groves-Raines, the Edinburgh-based architect. The sale will see the building restored to its original residential use. There will also be some office space.

The A listed Lamb’s House reverted to the National Trust for Scotland’s ownership in 2003 after the City of Edinburgh Council closed the elderly residential care facility which had been based there. The charity decided that in order to ensure the building received the investment needed to restore the Leith landmark to its former glory it should be sold to a suitable buyer.

The Trust’s Director of Properties and Visitor Services, Pete Selman said:

“Lamb’s House is a Leith landmark. This deal will ensure that the building is restored to its former glory, its former use and that it will survive for many hundreds more years. Its new owners are experts in the field of building conservation and will ensure that the development is sensitive to the age and importance of the building.”

Nicholas Groves-Raines said:

“This will be the fifth A-Listed building of this period in Scotland which my wife, Kristin Hannesdottir, and I have restored. Lamb’s House will become our family home and will include new premises for our architectural practice. We are delighted by the opportunity to be involved in this challenging project and by the prospect of our move to Leith.”

Mr Groves-Raines will work closely with the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council Planning Team throughout the development process.