Description
David Rhind of Edinburgh, architect 1853, restored and
enlarged by John Watherston of Edinburgh 1885-86 following
fire. Large asymetrical Scottish Jacobean mansion house, now
a hotel. 3 storeys, mostly mullioned and transomed
windows, some hood-moulded, advanced and recessed gabled
bays with finials or apex stacks. Stugged coursers, polished
dressings. North elevation: Tudor-arched door, hood-mould
raised over panel with crest above; projecting wide square
bay windows (4 and 5 lights) either side (2 storeys to left);
tall, slender 3-stage octagonal turret linked to main block
at right has upper lancets and open parapet (pinnacles
removed); low wing returns right, 2 walled open courts
behind. South elevation extended to west by Watherston and
arranged asymmetrically with single inner windows and
pedimented dormer heads, advanced outer gables, conservatory
at right (remodelled since 1885) with canted south end.
Corbelled oriel faces east; modern fire escape nearby.
String above ground floor; stacks with corniced octagonal
flues; slate roofs. Interior: some decorative carved
chimney pieces; that in stair hall is particularly fine
with elaborate Gothic ornament, traceried cusped panels,
crocketted ogival fireplace opening flanked by figures
in niches; some decorative ceiling plasterwork; library has
fitted book-shelves.
Square gatepiers; cast-iron gates with spiked rails; outer
piers ashlar with projecting caps, cast-iron inner piers
fluted, with cone finials.