Description

Composite house, originally built around a courtyard (north
stabling range largely demolished 1965). Restored probably
circa 1830, south block perhaps also built then; remainder
mostly 2nd half 18th century with alterations. Now an L-plan
country house, 2 single storey ranges linking taller 2-storey
square blocks at angle and at terminals. Renovated 1965,
Gordon J Kinghorn of Dumfries, architect. Rubble-built with
ashlar dressings, all whitewashed. North and east blocks have
single bay elevations and pyramidal roofs (former block now a
garage); (larger) south block (widened to rear (north east)
later in century) has 2-bay south east elevation with
Venetian windows in full-height wide bowed bay, panelled door
to right, with fanlight; piended roof.
Windows mostly small-paned sashes.
Stacks coped or corniced; mostly wall-head stacks, massive
ridge stack in low north east range, above former kitchen.
Slate roofs throughout (mostly graded slates).
Interior: massively-thick wall at ground level between
entrance hall and sitting room (to north east) possibly a
fragment of earlier tower house; stair in south block rebuilt
in later addition.

Statement of Interest

Building possibly began with a tower house, to which wings

were added in stages, possibly completing a courtyard plan.

Kinghorn leaflet cites 1776 map where Eccles house is shown

as being ruinous.

Sheppard's MODERN ATHENS (1829) also notices "the ruin of

Eccles" (in the entry relating to Barjarg); the rebuilding

of the south block (which might occupy the site of an earlier

tower house) may therefore date from shortly after 1829.

1765 map of Eccles estate by J Wells

(S.R.O. RHP 810) is difficult to interpret, but on it Eccles

house appears to comprise a rectangular block facing south

east, with a parallel range to rear.

1801 plan (S.R.O. RHP 37840) show 3 ranges about an open

court much as actually existed until 1965; on a small copy of

sketch held in NMRS

(Drumlanrig Inv. 35) (on paper dated 1811)

Eccles house appears to be built around an open quadrangle

(original - presumably larger scale - sketch not consulted).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17792410

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

• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)