Description

Shell of mansion burnt out in 1868 and thereafter abandoned. Built in more than one period, some walls now collapsed: added late 17th/early 18th century ranges, making a double-pile, rendered the north front symmetrical, a tripartite facade with recessed ends (the surviving left end gabled). Nucleus a comparatively long rectangular-plan tower which had a 1625 dormer head on exposed south face; 3 storeys including vaulted basement, openings more or less regularly disposed; kitchen fireplace gable asymmetrically placed on plan; south front extended by narrower but slightly taller wing to right hand (ie east), its gable skew-ended (gables of tower crow-stepped), formerly with 18th century Venetian window at 1st floor or which only soffit arch now survives. Rubble with ashlar dressings, including window and chimney margins and cornices; some brickwork. WALLED GARDEN: Extensive walled garden to W, also rubble and ashlar. WEST PAVILION: circa 1730 2-storey 4-bay, centre-doored pavilion survives; formerly a laundry, now (1989) a farmhouse. White harled, ashlar dressings, plate glass sashes, grey-slated and swept-eaved roof, centre ridge and 2 wall head stacks.

Statement of Interest

A stone noted nearby bears a date, probably 1596, possibly indicating work done at the tower at this date. Tower said to have been built by John Murray 1st Lord Elibank. Ballencrieff formerly "the most extensive barony in the parish" (OSA). The N entrance elevation comprised a 5-bay, advanced, corniced and pedimented centre with flanking gabled wings and 4-bay pavilions connected to main house by screen walls.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Ballencrieff Castle at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q4851590

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

• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)