'Queensberry House' is a 17th century Category A
listed building in the
Canongate,
Edinburgh,
Scotland, incorporated into the
Scottish Parliament complex. It contains the office of the
Presiding Officer, two Deputy Presiding Officers, the Parliament's Chief Executive, and other staff.
The house was built in c.
1667 for Dame Margaret
Douglas of Balmakellie, and bought by
William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry in c.
1689.
The most famous resident is probably
James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry who was influential behind the
Treaty of Union in
1707.
The same evening the 2nd Duke was signing the Act of Union, his son, the insane
Earl of Drumlanrig, is said to have roasted a servant boy on a spit in an oven in the kitchens. The oven can still be seen in the Parliament's Allowances Office.
From
1803 to
1996 the building was used as a hospital.
Ian Rankin's
Inspector Rebus novel ''
Set in Darkness'', first published in
2000 is partly set in Queensberry House during the reconstruction for the new parliament building.
External links
★
Scottish Parliament Buildings