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Summary

Description

Attributed to William Adam, but possibly James Smith. Early 18th century with pedimented addition late 18th to early 19th century; further additions and alterations mid to later 19th century. Symmetrical 2 storey with attic and basement, 7-bay classical house with 3-bay pedimented frontispiece advanced at centre; columnar portico at ground. Predominantly harled; coursed and tooled sandstone to pedimented frontispiece; sandstone ashlar dressings throughout. Sandstone band at principal floor stepped out to basement; moulded and corniced eaves. Rusticated sandstone quoins; sandstone surrounds to openings (predominantly stop chamfered); flush cills. Single storey ancillary structures (former game store and laundry) to N with adjoining walls enclosing courtyard.

E (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: steps to projecting portico centred at ground with paired Tuscan Doric columns to outer left and right, plain frieze, cornice, parapet; timber panelled door recessed within; border glazed fanlight; narrow side-lights; engaged pilasters to outer left and right. Single window aligned at 1st floor; single windows at ground and 1st floors in flanking bays; surmounting pediment with carved palmette cradling central oculus; urn-shaped finials. Single windows at basement, ground and 1st floors in remaining bays recessed to outer left and right; pedimented timber dormers between outer bays above.

S (SIDE) ELEVATION: 2-bay. Single windows at ground and 1st floors in both bays; pedimented dormer centred above.

W (REAR) ELEVATION: flush 3-bay centrepiece with modern steps oversailing basement to French doors centred at ground (lugged surround); single window below; single window above; single windows at all floors in flanking bays; platformed, pyramidal-roofed attic addition above with 2 pedimented dormers breaking corniced eaves (bracketed cills); decorative finial. Single windows at all floors in remaining bays to outer left and right; pedimented timber dormers between outer bays above.

N (SIDE) ELEVATION: part-glazed timber panelled door at basement off-set to left of centre.

Predominantly replacement 8-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows; lying-pane basement glazing at rear; 4-pane basement glazing to front; 4-pane glazing in timber sash and case attic lights. Graded grey slate piend and platform, slightly bell-cast roof; platformed pyramidal attic roof to rear. Replacement rainwater goods. Corniced sandstone ashlar stacks flanking centre; circular cans.

INTERIOR: not seen 1997.

ANCILLARY STRUCTURES: former game store and laundry to NE and NW respectively with adjoining walls enclosing rectangular courtyard. Squared and snecked whinstone to both (rake-jointed in part); tooled cream sandstone dressings; overhanging timber bracketed eaves. Sandstone quoins; long and short sandstone surrounds to openings; projecting cills. Former game store to NE: single storey, single bay near square-plan block. S (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: boarded timber door off-set to left of centre. E (SIDE) ELEVATION: single window at centre; adjoining rubble wall recessed to outer left. N (REAR) ELEVATION: single window at centre; adjoining rubble wall to outer right. W (SIDE) ELEVATION: single window at centre. 3-pane opaque-glazed timber sash and case windows. Graded grey slate pyramidal roof with pyramidal-capped, louvred ventilator. INTERIOR: not seen 1997. Former laundry to NW: single storey, 5- by 2-bay, rectangular-plan block. E (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: boarded timber door off-set to left of centre; square-headed garage opening to outer left; single windows in 2 bays to right of centre; boarded timber door in bay to outer right. N (SIDE) ELEVATION: single windows in both bays; boarded timber door in coped rubble wall adjoined to outer left. Graded grey slate piended roof. Corniced sandstone ashlar ridge stack at centre; circular cans. INTERIOR: not seen 1997.

COURTYARD GATEPIERS: coursed cream sandstone ashlar square-plan piers flanking courtyard entrance; surmounting ball shaped finials; gates missing.

QUADRANT WALLS, RAILINGS, GATEPIERS AND GATES: low coped tooled rubble quadrant walls flanking main (SW) entrance; spearheaded iron railings. Pyramidal-capped, square-plan piers to outer left and right. Chamfered square-plan gatepiers flanking entrance with decorative sandstone caps. Spearheaded iron pedestrian entry gates; 2-leaf spearheaded vehicular access gates. Modern gatepiers flanking side (W) entrance; modern gates.

Statement of Special Interest

Built for Sir Robert Sinclair and shown in its original form (without its pedimented frontispiece or columnar portico) in William Adam?s VITRUVIUS SCOTICUS. Some have assumed from this that Adam was the architect of Longformacus. However, it should be noted that the plates depicting the likes of Mavisbank, The Drum and Duff House (all definite Adam attributions) are signed "Adam inv", "Adam architectus" or "Adam inv: et delin". The fact that the Longformacus plate is signed "Adam delin", implies that although responsible for the drawing, he was not responsible for the original design. Strang suggests James Smith (circa 1645-1731) as the possible architect and although not confirmed, the plain classicism of the likes of Strathleven, Melville and Newhailes do bear similarity. The removal of the late Victorian wing to the N in the 1970s has restored Longformacus House to its original state and much of its exterior detailing remains intact. Interior photographs held in the NMRS show decorative plasterwork, timber panelled dados, a variety of fireplaces, timber panelled doors and a range of service bells. Although not seen, it is assumed that these features remain. Both historically and architecturally, Longformacus House remains one of the most significant buildings in the parish and indeed, within Scotland as a whole. The nearby dovecot, walled garden and gate lodge ('The Lodge') are all listed separately.

References

Bibliography

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