POSTPONED: Tour of Preston Tower. New date tbc.

Join us and ArcSoc on Saturday, 4th of October to hear project architect Natasha Huq (GRAS) and the Preston Tower community talk about the design and delivery of the Preston Tower, the EAA Building of the Year 2024!

This year we have teamed up with Edinburgh University Architecture Society, ArcSoc, to bring you the opportunity to visit EAA 2024 Building of the Year, Preston Tower by GRAS. The event will include a short film in the great hall on the tower's history plus presentation and walk around with project architect, Natasha Huq. Natasha will focus on how the project was delivered in conversation with the stakeholders presenting insights into design and delivery of this celebrated conservation-focused design.

This will be the first official visit to Preston Tower by the EAA for over a century! The last visit made by the EAA was on Sat 10th March 1900, when a group led by Thomas Ross, came for a tour of Preston village. They began at the tower, where they got a history lesson using notes from J Fowler Hislop, owner of the neighbouring house (since demolished) who had been one of the key fundraisers to secure the services of architect Hippolyte Blanc 14 years earlier to consolidate and "restore" parts of the tower. They also visited nearby Hamilton House, Northfield House, the Mercat Cross and Bankton House, before presumably all jumping back onto the train and returning to the big smoke!

As the availability is limited by the facilities, please make sure to get your tickets early. The tickets are £3 for ArcSoc members and £5 for everyone else.

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Location - Preston Tower, 30 Cross Cottages, Prestopans, EH32 9EJ.

Accessibility - the first floor of this medieval tower house is only accessible via the new staircase. A wooden ramp has been created on the ground floor to improve access, but the medieval threshold step remains and the floor surface remains uneven. The gardens are, however, fully accessible with a recently constructed path leading all the way to the doocot.

General safety - although the tower has recently undergone significant repair work it remains a safely consolidated ruin that it is open to the elements. Floor surfaces may be slippery on rainy days and some possess metal gratings, so flat footwear is advisable. Birds have access to the interior, so dust, feathers and other allergans may also be present in rooms.

Parking - if visiting by car, please park at Prestonpans Community Centre, Preston Rd, Prestonpans EH32 9QS. Please do NOT park in private Viewpoint Housing car park that is immediately adjacent to the tower.

Public Transport - good public transport options are available. You can get a train to Prestopans and get there in just over 20 minutes if traveling from Edinburgh Waverley. Alternatively, you could catch X4/124 bus (with young scot card you can get there for free).

Toilets - Unfortunately, there are no toilets available on site. The nearest public toilets are at the foot of Ayre's Wynd, near where it meets the High Street, a ten minute walk away.