Situated on the banks of the Water of Leith within the historic village of Colinton, West Mill transformed a former industrial site into one of Edinburgh’s most sought-after residential addresses. Inspired by the character of traditional Scottish villages and the Arts and Crafts architecture associated with Sir Robert Lorimer, the development was designed as a collection of distinctive buildings arranged around landscaped courtyards and pedestrian lanes.

Constructed using a rich palette of natural materials including stone, render and slate, the development combines traditional craftsmanship with modern living. Feature archways, stepped gables, elegant towers and carefully detailed elevations create a timeless architectural composition that sits comfortably within its historic setting.

The scheme’s relationship with the surrounding landscape was central to the design, with mature planting, riverside walks and carefully designed gardens creating a sense of permanence and tranquillity rarely achieved in contemporary developments.

Recognised as an award-winning development, West Mill remains an outstanding example of placemaking, where architecture, landscape and heritage combine to create a truly distinctive residential environment.

Development Type – Residential

Accommodation – Apartments

Background and Site History

The West Mill site occupies a prominent position beside the Water of Leith in the heart of Colinton. Historically, the site formed part of the former West Mills industrial complex, which included the Bonaly Dairy and earlier milling operations. Records show that by 1918 the site was owned by A & R Scott, producers of Scots Porridge Oats, and the buildings later accommodated a variety of commercial and industrial uses before falling into decline.

The wider Colinton area has a long association with milling, paper making, textiles and industry powered by the Water of Leith. The village itself evolved around these industries, and many of the historic mill buildings and industrial structures remain important elements of the local character today.

West Mill represented the opportunity to replace a tired and fragmented industrial site with a residential development that respected the village setting while delivering a modern living environment.

Architecture & Design

The architectural approach shares many similarities with Applecross’s earlier New Cut Rigg development in Trinity.

Rather than creating a contemporary apartment block, the design embraces the appearance of an organically evolved village settlement. The buildings are arranged around courtyards, lanes and landscaped spaces, creating the feeling that the development has always belonged to Colinton.

Key design influences include:

Traditional Scottish village architecture
Arts and Crafts detailing
Sir Robert Lorimer inspired proportions
Historic mill buildings found throughout the Water of Leith corridor
The strong vernacular character of Colinton Village

The stepped gables, archways, towers, varied rooflines and carefully composed elevations help break down the scale of the development. Rather than appearing as one large scheme, the buildings read as a collection of individual structures that have evolved over time.

This approach is very similar to New Cut Rigg, where Applecross used traditional proportions, varied massing and carefully considered detailing to create a mature residential environment rather than a typical housing estate.

Construction & Materials

A defining characteristic of West Mill is the quality of its construction and external materials.

The development uses a carefully selected palette of premium materials, including:

Natural stone detailing
Traditional render finishes
Slate roofs
Feature stone archways
Stone window surrounds
Timber entrance doors
Cast metal rainwater goods
Decorative railings and balconies
High quality paving and hard landscaping

The extensive use of natural materials creates depth, texture and permanence.

Unlike many developments from the same period, there is very little reliance on lightweight decorative elements. The architecture is expressed through genuine materials and craftsmanship, giving the buildings a sense of solidity and longevity.

The masonry detailing around the entrance archways and gables is particularly important. These elements act as visual anchors throughout the development and reinforce the impression of a historic village environment.

Landscape Design

One of the strongest aspects of West Mill is the relationship between architecture and landscape.

The development was designed around:

Mature tree retention
New specimen planting
Courtyard gardens
Riverside walks
Formal hedging
Seasonal planting
Carefully integrated parking

The landscaping softens the architecture and creates a sense of maturity that many modern developments struggle to achieve.

The photographs you have been enhancing suggest that the original landscape strategy relied on a relatively restrained palette. The strongest images are not those with colourful bedding plants but those using:

Box hedging
Structural shrubs
White flowering trees
Hydrangeas
Ornamental grasses
Evergreen planting

This creates a more timeless and premium appearance.

Award Winning Development

The development became recognised as one of Edinburgh’s most desirable residential addresses and received industry acclaim, winning Apartment Development of the Year at the Scottish Home Awards.

Its success was not simply because of the apartments themselves. The development combined:

Exceptional location beside the Water of Leith
Village setting
Strong architectural identity
Premium materials
Mature landscaping
Attention to detail
High quality public realm

The result was a development that feels more like an established European village quarter than a modern apartment scheme.