Archaeology Notes

Event ID 714537

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/714537

NT37SE 30 38939 74633.

The quaint old mansion of Harlowhill stands in a walled garden at the east end of the village of Prestonpans. The existing building consists of an L-shaped house, of probably the early 17th century, with later additions to the N and E. The actual date of erection is not known, but Mr P McNeill in his volume on Prestonpans and vicinity states that the house was occupied by David Hamilton in 1596. According to a local slater, who made the discovery recently while effecting repairs, the date 1641 is clearly cut on the lead of the roof, and this date is not out of keeping with the style of building.

The main block of the old mansion lies E-W with the wing projecting southward. The walls are of rubble, roughcast and white-washed, and rise to two storeys and a garret in height. The windows, to which, as usual, some alterations have been made, have chamfered margins.

That window nearest the re-entrant angle has probably been the original entrance.

The house, which is still occupied, and in good repair, was formerly a possession of the family of Hamilton of Preston.

N Tranter 1935

Not of outstanding architectural interest. Name confirmed.

Visited by OS (RD) 4 January 1972