PITHEAVLIS CASTLE, PERTH, SCOTLAND.(No Image available at present). This modest little castle, now entirely surrounded by the City of Perth, and its many feus were acquired by Sir Robert Usher in the early 1900's.
SPITAL TOWER, ROXBURGHSHIRE SCOTLAND. This mansion house was built about a mile from Wells House on the Wells estate between 1912 and 1914 as the home of Sir Robert's youngest sister, Mary Anne Usher and her architect husband, Thomas Leadbetter. She lived there until her death in 1955. Shortly thereafter it became a School (Blanerne School). Unfortunately the School went bankrupt and it was then sold to a Mr Rae who turned into flats. It remains occupied to the present time and consists of nine flats in the most sylvan surroundings.
BLACKFORD PARK, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.(No Image available at present). Andrew Usher built this house for himself and family in 1871. It was his main home until his death in 1896. His widow, Marion Blackwood Murray continued to live there until her own death in 1920. Thereafter it became the Canaan School for Girls until 1935 when it was purchased by the Salvation Army. It was then renamed Sunnyside and officially opened as a Salvation Army home for fifty residents by Mrs Bramwell Booth (daughter-in-law of the founder of the SA, William Booth). It continued as a SA home until the late 1970's. Sad to say it was eventually demolished in 1982 despite the efforts of the Cockburn Association (a body dedicated to the preservation of old buildings) to save it. Happily the lodge house was not demolished and is still standing.
NORTON HOUSE, RATHO, MIDLOTHIAN. This mansion house was built in the mid 1800's. The estate of Norton was purchased by Sir John Usher in 1883. He lived there for most of the remainder of his life but often visited and stayed at Wells as well. His son, Sir Robert, lived there in the winters in the pre First War years as he was the Master of the Linthlithgow and Stirlingshire Foxhounds in which hunting country Norton is situated. The house is surrounded by large policies of woodland and pasture. It was sold in the early 1950's and became an hotel. Until very recently it was a Virgin Hotel (the Virgin Organization). It is situated virtually opposite Edinburgh Airport. It is a most beautiful place to stay in. The main rooms have been named after prominent Scottish families. There is one room called "The Usher Room".
NORTHFIELD HOUSE, ST ABBS, BERWICKSHIRE, SCOTLAND.(No Image available at present).This was another of Andrew Usher's properties. He left this property to his daughter Jane Binning Usher. Thereafter it passed out of the family altogether.
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