Property types

Edinburgh Colony House

An Edinburgh colony house is a distinctive form of 19th-century workers' housing arranged in terraces, typically with separate upper and lower homes accessed independently.

Edinburgh’s colony houses are a distinctive local housing type developed during the 19th century. Colony developments typically consist of compact terraces containing independently accessed homes arranged across upper and lower levels.

They can be found in areas including Stockbridge, Dalry, Abbeyhill and Leith and are recognisable for their compact proportions, external stairs and individual entrances.

Today, colony properties are highly characteristic Edinburgh homes. Renovation can involve improving compact layouts, upgrading kitchens and bathrooms, restoring original details and making better use of storage and available living space.

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