Optional Dinner Wednesday July 2, 1997

The Royal Zoological Society

The optional Wednesday evening dinner will take conference delegates to the Members' House of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. The imposing architecture of the Members' House, formerly known as Corstorphine House, bears witness to a long and complex history. Situated in a leafy hollow bounded to the north by wooded hills, and only two miles from the centre of Edinburgh, the burgh of Corstorphine was a favorite retreat of wealthy Edinburgh businessmen from the sixteenth century onwards. In 1768, David Johnston, a successful brewer, bought a large acreage of land on the south side of Corstorphine Hill and in 1791 he sold it to William Keith, an accountant who started to build a large family house, known as Corstorphine Hill House. After changing hands a number of times, in 1912, the house and grounds were purchased for 17,000 by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. Given its long history, it's perhaps not surprising that the House even boasts its own ghost; there have been numerous sightings of a grey lady in the last 50 years, but sadly nothing is known of her name or circumstances.

The house stands on at the heart of the zoological park, which extends over 80 acres of beautiful hillside parkland, facing south with stunning views across to the Pentland Hills. Dinner will be served in the delightfully restored MacMILLAN Room and coffee will be offered in the William Keith Room overlooking the gardens. The evening's arrangement includes a private guided tour of the zoological park before and after dinner. Advance sign-up - see registration form - is required.

Return to NEWSletter - Spring 97 Issue.