Building of Magdala Crescent

The gardens, owned by the proprietors of properties in Magdala Crescent, are situated on the west side of Magdala Crescent

They form part of the residential development commenced in 1868 and masterminded on behalf of the Governors of George Heriot's School by the architect John Chesser.

John Chesser was the Superintendent of Works to George Heriot's Hospital between 1858 and 1889. During his term of office large areas of Heriot's land were sold off for residential use, including land in the West of Edinburgh.

The gardens were laid out in accordance with a plan prepared by John Chesser and  are located immediately to the east of the imposing Donaldson's Hospital designed by William Henry Playfair as a hospital for deaf children and now converted into flats.

Donaldson's  took eight  years to complete and was opened by Queen Victoria in 1850 who famously commented that it was more impressive than many of her royal palaces.


How the Crescent got its name

Magdala Crescent was named after the victory of British tro0ps in the year 1868 over Abyssininan forces at the Battle of Magdala which took place to the east of Addis Ababa, the present capital of Ethiopia.

​