Description

1886 villa designed by A Maitland & Sons of Tain, one of the more ambitious and intact of its scale, date and type within this part of Tain. 2-storey, 3-bay with L-plan SW facing front, unusually decorative centre porch (timber-framed; small leaded panes), stone-slab-roofed outer ground floor bay-windows, bipartites above - that in left-hand gable cusp-headed, that to right and centre breaking eaves and with stone-gableted dormer heads. Coursed, snecked cream-coloured ashlar with dressed detailing; plate-glass sash and case windows, gabled slate roofs with stone skews and skewputts and gable end chimney stacks.

Modern conservatory recessed on right hand gable. Two full-height gables project asymmetrically from rear wall with 2- and 4-paned glazing (one upvc window) and later 1920s scullery addition.

Inside, original timber detailing (shutters, etc.) and moulded cornice plasterwork survives; also staircase with cast-iron balusters.

House is set back from roadway behind boundary wall which is topped by spear-headed railings, original gate and unusual wrought-iron overthrow above supporting lamp bracket.

Statement of Interest

Murrayfield is an intact example of a villa built by the prolific local practice Andrew Maitland & Sons. The detailing, including ball finial and stone dentilled eaves cornice, metal work, porch and interior fittings add to the character of this building.

Recommended Books

• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover