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 The
history of Prestonfield and Cameron House is closely linked to the development
of Edinburgh University Settlement. This voluntary organisation created Cameron
House, which was the first community centre in Scotland, out of a dilapidated
country mansion situated in Prestonfield.
The mansion was gifted to the Settlement by the Town Council for a period of 25
years. If it carried out its purpose successfully as a community centre, it was
to become the Settlements own property.
The Town also made a grant of £500 and with the aid of a grant of £2,000 from
the Pilgrim Trust, Cameron House was officially opened in 1931 by Sir Winston
Churchill, then Rector of Edinburgh University.
The Cameron House Programme then included: Mothers' Meetings, Discussion Groups,
Youth Clubs, Unemployed Club, British Legion, Store Guild, Dramatic Society, Gardeners'
Club, Public Library and various other activities.
In 1968, the Settlement, due to financial difficulties arising out of the cost
of maintaining their five properties, sold Cameron House which was eventually
divided into sheltered accommodation.
The present Cameron House Community Centre is a modern building, owned by The
City of Edinburgh Council, which is situated next door to the original building
and it is run by a locally elected Management Committee.
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