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Field Visit
Date 29 June 1928
Event ID 1099445
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1099445
Old Sauchie House.
The 17th-century house lies 25 yards to the west of the tower. It is oblong on plan and two storeys high, with a round tower, now truncated, projecting from the north-western angle (SC 1168016). The southern end has been replaced by a late cottage. The lower parts of the west wall and tower are evidently the remains of a barmkin, which has been protected by a ditch, still traceable on the western side. In the old walling are three loops, circled at head and foot. The upper floor of the house is entered from the forestair and porch (SC 1168004). The pediment of the porch is elaborately carved and contains at the apex a representation of a pelican in piety set in a tree with three chickens below. Beneath this is a panel with the initials A.S. and the inscription I . MEIN . WEILL surmounting the date 1631, and a shield supported by two 'wodehouses' or wild men who bear scrolls inscribed: dexter in reversed or 'looking-glass' writing : BY PROMIS / MADE / RESTORED / VE / BE, and sinister TO HA[VE A] BLESED ETERNAT[Y]. The shield is charged with three covered cups, for Shaw of Sauchie. The pediments of two dormers beside the porch are also carved. The northern, triangular in shape, is enriched with scroll-work and bears a rude representation of a stand of arms or trophy; in the lower part is the motto: JE ME CONTENTE. The southern pediment is semi-circular and bears a rude shell ornament with the motto EN BIEN FAISANT: it has a stepped finial carved with a figure carrying a sickle in the left hand and a sheaf of corn in the right. The eastern skew-puts bear human heads, and the southern has also the date 1631. The interior of the upper floor has been modernised. The lower floor consists of three vaulted chambers, the northern one opening into the vaulted ground floor of the circular tower. At one time it also opened into another structure projecting eastward, but this was removed, and the opening has been closed by a large kitchen fireplace, which has subsequently been reduced in size. Since this account was prepared, the house has been mostly demolished.
RCAHMS 1933, visited 29 June 1928.
