Description

Sundial 17th century with flanking 16th century pair of gatepiers (formerly fireplace jambs). Grouped to S of Cromlix House (see separate listing).

SUNDIAL: obelisk sundial. Shallow octagonal base surmounted by square column, divided on each side to form 5 compartments. Wider chamfered octagonal capital above with canted facets above and below. Tall obelisk above. Grey sandstone ashlar. Geometric, heart-shaped, and circular sinkings set in column compartments. Hollowed-out dials to 4 facets of capital.

GATEPIERS: 16th century. Identical. Shaft with central engaged column with deeply moulded base and large, overhanging polygonal capital. Pink sandstone. Horizontal banding to capital with incised rosette pattern; similar rosette pattern to shaft. Surmounted by splayed grey sandstone copes and ball finials to form gatepiers.

Statement of Interest

The sundial is a fine and well preserved example of an obelisk type sundial - a type unique to Scotland and dating from the seventeenth century. Only a handful of this type of sundial is thought to exist. The different shaped incised sinkings use the edge of each figure to cast a shadow and similar shadows are cast by the hollowed-out dials and triangular shapes on the capital. The obelisk, in contrast, is smooth. Local knowledge suggests that the sundial was found at Innerpeffrey Castle, which was owned by the Drummonds until early in the twentieth century, and it may have stood in Lady Madderty's garden. Similar sundials can be found at Drummond Castle and Mount Stuart (see separate listings) among other locations.

The firejambs are likely to date from the 16th century and appear to have been subsequently converted to form gatepiers. They were originally situated in Lord Strathallan's House in Dunblane, known as Strathallan's Lodging. The house fell into disrepair early in the 19th century. They now flank the later, 17th century sundial. It is not known when the sundial and firejambs were moved to their present location, although family photographs show them in their present site at the end of the 19th century.

The sundial and the gatepiers were previously listed separately. Listing merged in 2006.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Cromlix House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q5187622

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)