Woolmet Hill is notable feature to the east of the road called The Wisp. On 3 April 1594, a battle known as the "Raid of Leith" was fought between the supporters of the rebel
Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, who claimed the backing of
Elizabeth I, and soldiers and cavalry led by
Alexander, Lord Home for
King James VI. Bothwell's force sheltered by Woolmet Hill and surprised Lord Home's force. Lord Home's foot soldiers retreated to
Craigmillar Castle. Despite this initial victory, Bothwell encountered more royal troops and was forced to retreat from Edinburgh. The contemporary writer
David Moysie, who described the fighting, calls the hill "Edmestoun eadge".
Woolmet House Woolmet House was a large mansion built for Archibald Napier (1575–1600) around 1590 as a wedding present from his wealthy father
Archibald Napier of
Merchiston Castle (father of
John Napier and of
Alexander Napier, Lord Laurieston). It was demolished in the 1950s due to subsidence caused by Woolmet Colliery. Some carved stones from Woolmet were incorporated into the
Castle of Mey around 1990. All that remains is an ornamental doorway of around 1700, now attached to the modern Miners' Welfare Club.
Woolmet Colliery The Colliery opened late in Scottish mining history (1898) and closed in 1966. It was operated by the Niddrie and Benhar Coal Company. It employed around 700 men and produced around 200,000 tons of coal per annum, under the control of
Sir James Steel.
Edmonstone House This mansion stood west of Woolmet House, north of Danderhall village. It was certainly extant in 1600 as home to the Edmonstone family. It was remodelled in the 18th century but demolished in the 1950s to avoid tax (the fate of many mansions in the 1950s). An entrance lodge and the base of the mansion still survive. ==Transport==