Dandie Dinmont - The White House

A vital and attractive slice of Otago Peninsula History that is just missing it's vitality, attractiveness and a turret. And it's quirky original title has gone astray.

Nowadays people call it 'The White House', but Dandie Dinmont was not a house but a hotel, with a turret, and hails from the impressive Larnach family of buildings, built for eccentric Otago businessman William Larnach and his business Partner James Smith to a Mason and Wales design. The pair developed the Waverley suburb in the 1880s, with the hotel at the centre, and a plan to link it to the city of Dunedin by steamer. Economic times prevented the steam ferry service from taking off and landed the pair in legal troubles. Larnach is reported to have lived here while waiting for his home, Larnach Castle, to be built.

Though the Dandie Dinmont, later the "Waverley" did have some good times, it has experienced a steady decline which has accelerated since it was purchased by a Perth businesswoman in 1969. In 2016 she told STUFF she still intended to restore the hotel and provide artistic residencies within. But 50 years of promises appear to be wearing thin upon the community.

The turret is long gone, and the name, which may have been in honour of Larnach's favourite dog breed, a Scottish Terrier, seems to have worn off too. Now 'The White House' is not really white either, as the greenery is taking over.

Image Credit: Google Maps