By far the biggest part of what came to be known as the Baberton Mains Estate was the 68 acres bought by George Wimpey in 1971 which was part of Ferneiflat Farm and Curriemuirend.  The smaller part of 25 acres was bought by Wimpey in 1975 and was part of the farm of Baberton Mains.  The word Mains normally refers to the main buildings of a farm.  This may include the farmhouse, farm buildings etc.

We can speculate as to why the whole estate was called Baberton Mains.  Maybe it was because the “big hoose” of Baberton remained and of course the mains or farmland was part of the policies.  Fernieflat farmhouse on the larger tract of land was demolished to make way for part of the new estate.  There may be some indication in old planning records or Edinburgh City Council’s predecessor’s minutes to give us a clue but we haven’t found it yet.

No matter, more than 900 houses of varying types were built between 1972 and 1977.  According to Wimpey’s surveyor at the time they built 6 houses a week, an unbelievable speed.
Read on to see how it all came about.