Background
Born to Peter Allan, a shoemaker in Gladsmuir and Jane Renny, who was the daughter of Archibald Kenley of Tranent, Allan was initially a valet to Williams Williamson and a gamekeeper for the Marquess of Londonderry.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Peter Allan
Edit Profile
Career
He later ran a tavern in the village Whitburn on the Durham coast. After becoming infatuated with and working at the quarries near his property, he decided to turn a limestone cliff in the Grotto in the Bay into an actual house. He carved out fifteen rooms which connected to a farmhouse and tavern (The Grotto) on the cliff above.
He also saved a number of boats offshore and a group of children from drowning.
In 1848 the lord of the manor attempted to eject him based on his ownership of the above land. The structure, which became a sort of public attraction, was obliterated by a collapse of the cliff in February 1865.
The Grotto remains, connected to a hotel. Although the history has some documentary backing, some insist that the story is exaggerated.
Alan Robinson wrote a book in the 1970s denying the notion that Allan was a hermit.
Views
Allan successfully defended his right to live at the spot in a lawsuit, but died on August 31, 1849, perhaps affected by the stress.
