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Summary

Description

Late 15th to early 16th century L-plan tower house, with

single storey wing to W probably added in early 19th

century along with further alterations, and gabled

2-storey projection to S added 1964. 2-storey tower

house with cap-house. Deep corbelled and crowstepped

parapet with water spouts at intervals. Red rubble

sandstone; harled brick to 1964 addition. Chamfered

arrises to windows; small-pane glazing to sash and case

form. Grey slates.

TOWER: stair jamb to E side; doorway to left with roll and

cavetto surround and lintel shield (Douglases of

Whittingehame); small irregular stair windows above and

gunloop under parapet; further blind gunloops on N side.

N elevation with 2 early 19th century hoodmoulded

windows at 1st floor with smaller earlier window above.

Addition of 1964 on S elevation to right side with early

19th century wing adjoined to SW corner. W elevation

given hoodmould; small square window at centre. Early

19th century wing adjoined to SW corner. W elevation

given pointed-arch window at ground, probably in early

19th century; blind gunloop above and window under

parapet (recently repaired). Crowstepped gables to

cap-house, with gable-end stacks; diminutive cap-house

above stair jamb.

W WING: single storey, flat-roofed, 7-bay wing running to

W, adjoined to SW corner of tower, probably altered in

early 19th century and incorporating earlier walls and

formerly with crenellated parapet. N elevation blank with

dagger carved on 1 stone. 7 hoodmoulded windows to S

elevation, with penultimate window to right altered to

doorway (French windows). Moulded eaves cornice to N.

Drum stack, recently altered.

S ADDITION: 2-bays deep. Irregular windows with gabled

dormerheads to 1st floor windows breaking eaves;

doorway on S gabled elevation.

TOWER INTERIOR: barrel-vaulted ground floor,

white-washed. Outstanding 17th century strapworked

plaster ceiling to 1st floor drawing room with heraldic,

mystical and fertility symbols set in naturalistic borders

(recently restored). 17th century woodwork and wall

recess (servery); egg and dart enrichment to doors,

probably later 17th century.

WELLHEAD: white stone circular wellhead with acanthus

carving, worked at corners to support moulded square

surround; set on octagonal base. Decorative

wrought-iron overthrow.

SUNDIAL: octagonal stone columnar sundial set on stepped

octagonal base with blind quatrefoil carving on pedestal

and blind Y-tracery moulding to shaft; acanthus moulding

to wider neck and table cornice.

Statement of Special Interest

Possibility of 14th century date for the Tower was debated by Marshall B Lang. The Darnley Conspiracy was allegedly hatched at the Tower, 1567, and the carved dagger may conceivably be related to this event. The Tower was formerly known as the Castle and comprised a 5-pointed star, of which all but the earliest tower have since been demolished, but the lines of gables on remaining parapet presumably relate to former wings. The cap-house was later used as a dovecot and certain windows were blocked. The plaster ceiling bears similarities with other 17th century ceilings on the E coast of Scotland, such as nearby Lennoxlove, and House of Binns, suggesting the same workmen were employed. The wellhead takes the form of a capital from a Greek temple and a similar wellhead can be seen at Westerdunes, Dirleton Parish. The early 19th century work was almost certainly by William Atkinson, who effected a parallel restoration at Biel House, nearby, circa 1814-17, including numerous hoodmoulds. Whittingehame House was built in 1817 to replace the Tower as the Balfour mansion. The extent of the remaining buildings in 1819, including the 17th century service buildings and gun platform, is evident on the estate plan by John Mason, surveyor (RHP.2518, of 1819).

References

Bibliography

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