Description

Pavilions probably early 18th century; entrance gateway mid-late 18th century; both restored by W Schomberg Scott 1971; boundary wall various dates early 18th century onwards. Gateway at entrance to carriage drive directly to W of main entrance to house; low flanking walls surmounted by wrought iron railings terminate at pair of pavilions; coursed rubble walls start at opposite side of pavilions and encompass grounds of house. Gatepiers are of V-jointed sandstone ashlar surmounted by sandstone urns; low flanking walls and pavilions are harled with ashlar dressings; pavilions have ogee roofs. Pavilions, gateway and intervening walls form symmetrical arrangement in line with house.

PAVILIONS: 2-storey; square in plan; reversed plans (openings slightly altered). Harled sandstone rubble with sandstone ashlar dressings, including margins and moulded eaves cornices. Grey slate ogee roofs with lead obelisk finials (S pavilion re-roofed and finial reproduced in 1971). Central entrance to N pavilion with late 20th century 2-leaf boarded timber door to N elevation; single window with ashlar surround to upper storey to S elevation; 2 similar windows to W elevation (all boarded); narrow light to ground floor of S elevation; small inserted window with stone lintel to E elevation. Central entrance to S pavilion with ashlar surround and boarded timber door; inserted 19th century loft door with stugged and droved ashlar surround and 2-leaf boarded timber door above; inserted ground floor window with fixed multi-pane glazing to left; smaller inserted window to right; single window with ashlar surround to upper storey to N elevation; 2 similar windows to W elevation (all boarded); E elevation blank.

INTERIORS: not inspected (1998).

ENTRANCE GATEWAY: pair of V-jointed sandstone ashlar gatepiers, each with cornice with moulded band course above and flat coping surmounted by carved stone urn with flame finial (finial to S pier has been replaced); lower height engaged gate stanchion with moulded scroll decoration at apex to inner face of each; harled buttress (possibly slightly earlier) with ashlar margins at arrises and slightly undulating coping to E. Low harled flanking walls with ashlar coping surmounted by wrought-iron railings (replaced 1971 based on those at Traquair House) terminate at pavilions.

BOUNDARY WALL: rubble wall with rubble coping extends N and S from outer sides of entrance pavilions to enclose grounds of house, forming Z-plan. 3 gateways to S/SW. Lower section of rubble wall with ashlar coping due E of house; flanking ashlar piers surmounted by obelisks (probably early 18th century and contemporary with pavilions) forming symmetrical composition to rear of house; prospect views along broad avenue from house over lower section of wall.

Statement of Interest

A-group with Morton House and Morton House Belvedere (see separate list entries), all of which are probably largely contemporary with the earlier section of the house. A fine intact pair of entrance pavilions in a style that is usually associated with the late 17th century. The symmetrical grouping of the pavilions and gatepiers in line with the house forms an imposing entranceway with a classical symmetrical composition. This is also in line with the avenue and obelisks to the rear/E of the house.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17792045

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

• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)