Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Attributed to William Playfair, 1819; extended 1830-60, repaired Simpson & Brown, 1995-2000. Single storey, basements and attic. Picturesque Jacobethan villa. Coursed squared rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings; band course; raised long and short quoins; overhanging eaves and mutuled cornice.

PRINCIPAL (N) ELEVATION: 7-bay open worked loggia to right on fluted timber columns, terracotta balustrade, stone parapet; stone entrance platt over basement area, central 2-leaf front door, flanking columns, plain pediment, later chimney above. Tripartite mullioned and transomed windows flanking; to left, east wing extension, two 12-pane sash and case windows, left blind; terracotta balustrade to front.

W ELEVATION: replacement semi-glazed door at basement, to left sash window, to right replacement fixed glazed window; string course; large semi-circular headed window to right, smaller one to left, shaped dormer above; balustraded steps and terrace to far left.

S ELEVATION: steps down to left to 2-storey main house with attic; altered door to basement left, small multi-light window to centre, 12-pane sash and case window to right; 2 oriels to principal floor; 3 curvilinear dormers to attic, central nepus dormer pre-dates 2 smaller flanking dormers, each containing 12-pane sash and case windows; E wing, 2 sash and case windows; advanced basement, door at centre, fixed fanlight above; projecting wing to right, tripartite window with cast-iron mullions over 3 single lights, twin windows below; blind wall to left return.

E ELEVATION: to E wing, small window bottom right, chimney stack, blocked in at base; barred window at 2nd storey to right return; twin windows to ground floor, smaller windows below; skylight and flat-roof in re-entrant angle; door to adjoining exterior outhouses and terracotta balustered steps to front elevation.

Timber sash and case windows, except oriels early 20th century steel replacements; glazed skylights. Piended and platformed slate roof, stepped blocking course and wallhead stacks. Replacement rainwater goods, dated 1995 at hoppers.

INTERIOR: Tudor gothic plasterwork and joinery to ground floor entrance hall and principal rooms; variety of 19th century chimney-pieces; colonnaded screen to attic storey carries Moorish arches; elaborate cast-iron stair balusters and stone stairs.

GATEPIERS, BOUNDARY WALLS, TERRACING AND FOUNTAIN: series of terracotta balustraded terraces to rear of the house. Matching terracotta fountain supported by three dolphins, seashell detail surround; all by J and M Craig, Kilmarnock, circa 1860. High stone boundary walls, square ashlar gate piers on Polton Road.

Statement of Special Interest

Formerly known as Bilston Lodge, it was built for Dr Alexander Brunton, minister of the Tron Kirk and Professor of Oriental Languages at Edinburgh University. He was the husband of Mary Brunton, whose novels 'Self-Control' and 'Discipline' were successful. She died in childbirth, as did the baby, before Blairesk was complete. The design is attributed to Playfair as a drawing exists showing a similar frontage to that at Blairesk (then Bilston Lodge). It is also noted that Playfair met Brunton whilst working on Edinburgh University Library. Later Professor Charteris, Professor of Biblical criticism in the Faculty of Divinity at Edinburgh University, owned the property. The house also was used in 1888 for the first meeting of the Women's Guild of the Church of Scotland. Privately owned during the last century, the structure suffered serious damage due to mining work below and it is currently being restored.

There was originally a small lodge at the entrance gates, although previous owners demolished this in the 20th century. The gate piers and gates still survive.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.