Archaeology Notes

Event ID 705045

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/705045

NS79SE 28 79385 93684

(NS 7938 9368) Darnley House (NR)

OS 25" map (1966)

Darnley House was visited by the RCAHMS in 1954, before its restoration in 1957-8. They described it as an L-shaped building comprising a main block and a wing which extends to the rear. The main block (3 storeys high) and the wing (4 storeys) have been much altered from time to time. There is a rectangular staircase-tower in the re-entrant angle. The facade is of ashlar; the remainder of the structure is of random rubble. A late 16th or early 17th century date is suggested for the building.

A 19th century panel set into the facade states that the house was the nursery of James VI and his son Henry, but this tradition, like that which associated the building with Lord Darnley, does not seem to be supported by any evidence. More probably the house should be associated with the Erskines of Gogar.

RCAHMS 1963, visited 1954

As described.

Visited by OS (JP) 6 December 1973