Description

Possibly Alexander Stevens, Edinburgh, circa 1801.
Quadrangular-plan steading with classical N range and
entrance arch; octagonal dovecot set in centre of
courtyard. Red sandstone rubble with cream ashlar,
broadly droved dressings.
N RANGE: symmetrical 14 bays to exterior elevation, with
cornice and blocking course, arranged 2-2-5-2-2, the
outer pair each side single storey, remaining bays
2-storey with granary windows to upper level, and 5 bays
at centre advanced; round-arched door at centre with
fanlight, and with windows flanking each side; 2
recessed, 2-storey bays flanking again with shallow
depressed carriage arches. Paired outer bays with doors
blocked as windows. 5 centre bays gabled, those
flanking with piend roofs to both single and 2-storey
bays. Courtyard elevation symmetrical with 2-stage
canted turret projecting at centre covering pend and
with hayloft door above; 2 recessed, 2-storey bays
flanking, with round-arched doorways by centre,
intercepted by lean-to later additions in-filling at
ground; advanced outer bays abutted by in-fill, each
with window and piend roof adjoined to gabled cross
walls of 5 centre bays.
S RANGE AND ARCH: 2-storey piend-roofed plain block of
cottages, with 1st floor windows breaking eaves in
flat-roofed dormerheads; cement rendering and mullions
to enlarged windows on exterior; formerly 3 cottages,
with 1 doorway blocked, 1 blocked as window; cement
rendered stacks. Tall carriage archway to left, abutting
W range, comprised of ashlar piers, rounded ashlar
overthrow with impost at eaves level, and ashlar coped;
stone, corniced bellcote above, capped by stone hemi-
sphere; bell in situ. Pedestrian gateway to left by W
range.
E RANGE: symmetrical 8-bay cartshed, following incline;
exterior elevation with blocked depressed cart arch and
2 doorways; courtyard elevation with 5 shallow depressed
cart arches, 1 currently blocked, and with doors in
outer bays. Steeply pitched roof with stack to N gable
end. Irregular, lower bays to N end of range, recessed
on the exterior elevation.
W RANGE: substantially altered to centre and S for
modern machinery.
Grey-green slates to cottages, 2-storey piends of N
range; purple slates to exterior pitch of cartshed;
corrugated asbestos to remaining ranges, except for
centre bays of N range, currently unroofed.
SHEEP PEN: ashlar coped walls to rectangular enclosure
set within courtyard, partially breached, and with
2 ashlar gatepiers to S, ashlar coped with hemi-
spherical caps, sited where pend abuts dovecot; timber
gates and fences dividing channels, leading to iron gate
with bar and lever for securing sheep.
DOVECOT: possibly Alexander Stevens, circa 1801.
Octagonal 3-stage dovecot; red sandstone rubble with
broadly droved cream ashlar dressings and cornice.
Round-arched doorway to W with opening in 2nd stage
above; further opening to 3rd stage to S. Octagonal
piended roof with timber classical octagonal lantern and
timber cupola at apex; timber columns to lantern and
round arched flight-holes.

Statement of Interest

The tentative attribution to Alexander Stevens of 16 St

James Square, Edinburgh (not to be confused with the

bridge builder of the same name), stems from his earlier

involvement at Keith House, in 1791. No steading is shown

on the 1801 map (detailed above), but that of 1811

reveals the ground plan in its quadrangular form with

dovecot. Form of the dovecot was not uncommon, similar,

for example to that Denbie, Dumfriess-shire.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17567370

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.

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