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Field Visit
Date 9 November 1920
Event ID 1114451
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/1114451
On the lawn within the walled garden there is a very beautiful free-standing fountain (Fig. 58 [SC 1225147]), from which fine old yew hedges radiate. On two circular steps there rest an octagonal shaft and base, both moulded after the Gothic manner. The circular basin rests on this and is 3 feet 7 ½ inches in diameter. The lip is moulded, the outer surface being scalloped. Within the basin rises an octagonal shaft enriched with lion masks on alternate facets, and, above, on each face a dolphin with a lead tongue fashioned like a tortoise head, which emits a stream through its mouth. The shaft then tapers, is enriched towards its top with a drapery and terminates in a unicorn supporting a shield, on which there is a crowned thistle slipped. On one facet, just above the lion masks, the fountain is dated 1630, while on the opposite facet are the initials G.F. and LB. linked by a lovers' knot. The total height of the fountain is 11 ¼ feet.
Against the west wall of the garden a fine Renaissance fireplace has been erected. The triangular pediments which surmount it are, of course, those of dormer windows, so placed for preservation. Their finials are a thistle, rose and star. The fireplace opening is 5 feet 5 inches wide and 5 ¾ feet high. The boldly moulded surround is heavily enriched with quatrefoiled and mascled paterre, nail heads, and a key pattern; on the latter occur the initials A.V. in monogram. The cornice has slight projection; the principal member is a very flat cavetto enriched with a scroll; at its centre it bears the initials GF. and LB. in monogram, for George Foulis and Janet Bannatyne as above. The upper member is inscribed: I MAR 1624 - YE ALSO AS LIVELY STONES ARE BUILT UP A SPIRITUAL HOUSE - I PETER 2, 5. The inscription seems to be an addition.
In the opposite wall is a doorway with an elaborate scroll enrichment. The cartouche on the lintel is parted per pale and charged with three laurel leaves, for Foulis, and, on a cross couped between four mullets, a crescent, for Bannatyne of Newtyle. The present capstone is triangular and has on the finial a sun rayed and crowned.
At the front entrance to the present mansion a 17th-century sundial has been erected. It is a plain angle dial surmounted by a scroll-work abutting on a cherub's head at the angle.
RCAHMS 1929, visited 9 November 1920.
