Phantassie Steading
Edinburgh Days Out is following the development of Phantassie Steading, a major new visitor centre planned for East Linton in East Lothian. We're excited by the prospect of a high quality specialist retail and heritage centre, that will be within easy reach for day-trippers from Edinburgh, and will also be a tempting stopping-off place for travellers. The development has been likened to the well regarded House of Bruar retail and restaurant facility on the A9 near Blair Atholl, but with the addition of an important heritage element.
Phantassie Steading is about 24 miles east of Edinburgh city centre, just off the A1 between Haddington and Dunbar, and about 10 miles from the popular seaside resort of North Berwick.
The developers have obtained listed building consent for the conversion of the B-listed quadrangular farm steading. The visitor centre is scheduled to open to the public in 2013. Watch this space for more information.
Phantassie Organic Vegetable Boxes
You can order organic fruit and vegetable boxes from Phantassie Farm. Also free-range eggs, meat and home-made preserves. Crops are grown using natural composts and organic management techniques. Boxes can be delivered to your home (or an agreed location) weekly or fortnightly. Alternatively, visit the Phantassie Farm stall at Edinburgh Farmers' Market, normally on the second and last Saturday of each month. www.phantassie.co.uk
Andrew Meikle & John Rennie Snr
Phantassie Steading was where Andrew Meikle, a millwright, worked in the late 18th century. He revolutionised agriculture with his inventions, including the mechanical threshing machine which freed up farm labour and contributed to the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions. He also invented "spring sails" for windmills, which allowed the sails to be quickly and safely controlled in the event of a storm.
Phantassie House was the birthplace of John Rennie, who was strongly influenced by the works of Andrew Meikle. Rennie qualified as an Engineer at Edinburgh University in 1783. He went on to design complex structures all over Britain, including the Bell Rock Lighthouse, Portpatrick Harbour, Leith East & West Docks, Plymouth Breakwater, and Southwark & Waterloo bridges. John Rennie died in 1821 and was buried in St Paul's Cathedral. His sons, John and George Rennie, also became professional engineers, and carried out major railway and maritime construction projects.