House of the Binns was originally a 15th century stone three storey manor house and courtyard fortress, founded by James Meldrum of the Bynnis or his son Archibald. Possibly standing on a Pictish site, the courtyard house was of east and west blocks, joined by a northern rectangular range, flanked by two low towers. In 1612-30, Thomas Dalyell absorbed the house to make a U-plan Renaissance mansion of two-and-a-half storeys and a garret, flanked by two northern stair turrets. In 1621, a Laigh Hall was created out of the original cellar in the main block and the raising its ceiling, squashed the principal floor. In the late 17th century, General Sir Tam Dalyell further extended the house, with more rooms being added in the mid 18th century. In 1812, the crow-stepped gables and pointed turrets were replaced by the most fashionable crenellations. A mile north is Blackness Castle.