The Village of Dean lies to the north west of Edinburgh city centre. It is located on the Water of Leith and its name means "deep valley". It has a long history as a milling village, stretching back over 800 years. In 1836 Thomas Telford built the Dean Bridge across the gorge near the village. Since the 1970s it has acquired a reputation for a quiet and tranquil place to live, close to the city centre.
The inscription on the lintel is: "God bless the baxters of Edinbrugh [sic]who built this house 1675". The Ancient Incorporation of Baxters (bakers) had a long association with Dean Village, where there were several mills which provided the baxters with flour.