Description

John Begg, circa 1894. 2-storey and basement, 3-bay, square-plan crow-step gabled villa in 17th century Scots Revival style with distinctive polygonal bay window to S and steps over basement leading to balustraded platform and entrance door to E. Harled with ashlar margins. Corbelled gable to rear. Large 6-light stair window to E with stone mullions and transoms.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: STREET ELEVATION TO S: asymmetrical, with polygonal bay window to ground at right with slated, steeply sloping, polygonal roof. Central pedimented dormer breaking wallhead. Elevation to E with recessed timber entrance door to right with roll-moulded door surround and pedimented doorhead with oculus. Upper storey window to left with semicircular pediment.

Predominantly 12- and 6-pane over plate glass timber sash and case windows. Grey slates. Beak skewputts. Tall, coped, gablehead and ridge stacks.

INTERIOR: (seen 2009). Some good decorative timberwork to window bay; carved timber fire surround with flanking round-arched alcoves. Other, simpler, fire surrounds. Decorative cornicing. Dog-leg stair with timber balusters and banister and large, coloured glass stair window with decorative glazing pattern.

Statement of Interest

This is a good example of a Scots 17th century Revival villa, with good period details. The asymmetric nature of the house, with its crow stepped gables, contrasting margins and variety of pediments are typical features of this Revival style. The polygonal bay window is a dominant feature of the street elevation and, situated across from Inverleith Park, the house is a distinctive addition to the streetscape. The interior of the house has undergone some alteration, particularly to the service area, but the public rooms retain some fine decorative timber work.

John Begg (1866-1937) was born in Bo'ness and worked for much of his life as an architect in India. He returned to Scotland in 1921 and worked in private practice in Edinburgh.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77781289

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

• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Nottinghamshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair