Archaeology Notes

Event ID 700185

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/700185

NS34NW 1.00 30453 48034.

NS34NW 1.01 30477 47888 Blair, Stable Block

NS34NW 1.02 30322 48053 Blair, Garden walls

(NS 3045 4802) Blair (NR)

OS 6" map (1970)

Blair is a large composite mansion; the nucleus appears to have been an oblong tower of great strength, the walls of which reach a thickness of 14ft. This tower has later been integrated with an L-shaped house of mainly 17th century construction, and subsequently added to and altered. The nucleus seems to occupy the angle of the L. The building is of rubble, and is mainly three storeys and an attic in height. The long W wing dates from the second half of the 17th century, and the square stair- tower which occupies the re-entrant angle appears to belong to the same period. The present entrance, at the foot of this, is surmounted by a pediment dated 1662. Above this is a panel dated 1203, which is far too early for this building. There is a smaller tower adjoining and this contains an old doorway dated 1617, with above, two sculptured stones of early workmanship, obviously insertions.

Macgibbon and Ross state that the original tower is certainly not earlier than the 15th century, and probably of 16th century date.

N Tranter 1965; D MacGibbon and T Ross 1892

Blair (name confirmed by Miss C M Blair, owner) is as described. It is in use as a residence and is in a good state of repair.

Visited by OS (DS) 6 September 1956

No change to the previous field report.

Visited by OS (JRL) 14 October 1982