Greywalls
Encyclopedia
Greywalls is an Edwardian country house at Gullane
in East Lothian
, Scotland. It was built in 1901 for Alfred Lyttelton
, to designs by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It has been run as a hotel since 1948. Greywalls is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
, the national listing of significant gardens.
(1857–1913) served as a Member of Parliament from 1895 to 1913, holding office as Colonial Secretary
from 1903 to 1905. He was also a talented sportsman, having previously played on the English national cricket and football teams. A keen golfer, in 1901 he commissioned the architect Edwin Lutyens
to design a holiday home on a site adjacent to Muirfield golf course on the East Lothian coast. Originally known as High Walls, the house was designed in Lutyens' Arts and Crafts style. Lutyens also laid out the gardens, possibly with the assistance of Gertrude Jekyll
.
In 1905 the house was sold by Lyttelton to Evelyn Forbes, the Scots socialite wife of American railroad magnate William Dodge James. She commissioned Lutyens to add three lodges in 1905, and in 1911 had an extension built by Sir Robert Lorimer. The Jameses entertained Edward VII at the house. It was leased after the First World War, and in 1924 it was purchased by Sir James Horlick, founder of Horlicks Ltd
. Horlick developed a plant collection at another of his properties, Achamore House
in Argyll, but only visited Greywalls annually.
The house was requisitioned during the Second World War for use as a hospital. Horlick left the property to his daughter Ursula and her husband Colonel John Weaver, and in 1948 they converted the house into a hotel. Several extensions have since been added, and the Weaver family continue to manage the property. The hotel restaurant, Chez Roux, is run by French chef Albert Roux
.
Gullane
Gullane is a town on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian on the east coast of Scotland. There has been a church in the village since the 9th century. The ruins of the Old Church of St...
in East Lothian
East Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
, Scotland. It was built in 1901 for Alfred Lyttelton
Alfred Lyttelton
Alfred Lyttelton QC was a British politician and sportsman who excelled at both football and cricket. During his time at university he participated in Varsity Matches in five sports: cricket , football , athletics , rackets and real tennis , displaying an ability that made him...
, to designs by Sir Edwin Lutyens. It has been run as a hotel since 1948. Greywalls is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland is a listing of gardens and designed landscapes of national artistic and/or historical significance, in Scotland. The Inventory was originally compiled in 1987, although it is a continually evolving list...
, the national listing of significant gardens.
History
The Hon. Alfred LytteltonAlfred Lyttelton
Alfred Lyttelton QC was a British politician and sportsman who excelled at both football and cricket. During his time at university he participated in Varsity Matches in five sports: cricket , football , athletics , rackets and real tennis , displaying an ability that made him...
(1857–1913) served as a Member of Parliament from 1895 to 1913, holding office as Colonial Secretary
Secretary of State for the Colonies
The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet minister in charge of managing the United Kingdom's various colonial dependencies....
from 1903 to 1905. He was also a talented sportsman, having previously played on the English national cricket and football teams. A keen golfer, in 1901 he commissioned the architect Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
to design a holiday home on a site adjacent to Muirfield golf course on the East Lothian coast. Originally known as High Walls, the house was designed in Lutyens' Arts and Crafts style. Lutyens also laid out the gardens, possibly with the assistance of Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll was an influential British garden designer, writer, and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the UK, Europe and the USA and contributed over 1,000 articles to Country Life, The Garden and other magazines.-Early life:...
.
In 1905 the house was sold by Lyttelton to Evelyn Forbes, the Scots socialite wife of American railroad magnate William Dodge James. She commissioned Lutyens to add three lodges in 1905, and in 1911 had an extension built by Sir Robert Lorimer. The Jameses entertained Edward VII at the house. It was leased after the First World War, and in 1924 it was purchased by Sir James Horlick, founder of Horlicks Ltd
Horlicks
Horlicks is the name of a company and of a malted milk hot drink. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline in the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Jamaica, and under licence in the Philippines and Malaysia....
. Horlick developed a plant collection at another of his properties, Achamore House
Achamore House
Achamore House is a mansion on the Isle of Gigha, Scotland. It was built in 1884 for Lt-Col William James Scarlett, and the extensive gardens were laid out by Sir James Horlick from 1944...
in Argyll, but only visited Greywalls annually.
The house was requisitioned during the Second World War for use as a hospital. Horlick left the property to his daughter Ursula and her husband Colonel John Weaver, and in 1948 they converted the house into a hotel. Several extensions have since been added, and the Weaver family continue to manage the property. The hotel restaurant, Chez Roux, is run by French chef Albert Roux
Albert Roux
Albert Roux OBE is a French-born restaurateur and chef working in Britain. He and his brother Michel operated Le Gavroche, the first restaurant in the UK to gain three Michelin stars. He helped train a series of chefs that went on to win Michelin stars, and his son, Michel Roux, Jr...
.