Spottiswoode
Country House (19th Century)
Site Name Spottiswoode
Classification Country House (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Spottiswoode Estate; Spottiswoode House
Canmore ID 144862
Site Number NT64NW 33
NGR NT 60378 49834
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/144862
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Westruther
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Berwickshire
- Former County Berwickshire
Spottiswoode House was the seat of the Spottiswoodes, a prominent Borders family who held the house and estate until the early years of the twentieth century. It is unclear exactly when a house was first built on this site, but records reveal a cycle of building, ruination, rebuilding and alterations, which culminated in the final demolition of the house in 1939.
It is very likely that the first house of Spottiswoode was a tower-house of late medieval date. At this period, when local and national conflicts were a regular occurrence it was important to live in a place that could be defended if necessary. No trace of this early structure has survived.
In the early eighteenth century, a new house was built. This is thought to have been a plain laird's house, which, though maintaining the use of thick walls and small windows, had less need for defence.
In 1832, the building was extended through the construction of a new wing to the south-west, designed by the architect William Burn. At the same time, the original building was altered to match the character of the new addition. The enlarged house was ornate in appearance, with curved Dutch gables, dome-topped turrets and elaborate balustrades.
In 1939, the building was demolished on account of structural faults, but other estate buildings such as the kennels, stables and gate-lodges were retained.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
NT64NW 33.00 60378 49834
NT54NE 40 59831 49750 Bruntaburn Archway
NT54NE 41 59841 49756 West Lodge
NT54NE 63 58596 48262 Pyatshaw Archway
NT64NW 2 60406 49870 Whitechapel
NT64NW 33.01 6028 4990 Groom's House with Coach Houses and Stables
NT64NW 33.02 60492 49884 Well
NT64NW 33.03 60516 49840 Ice-House
NT64NW 33.04 60259 49896 Kennels
NT64NW 33.05 60455 49779 Walled Garden
NT64NW 33.06 60255 49936 and 60309 49945 Outbuildings
NT64NW 33.07 NT c. 604 498 Bear's Den
NT64NW 33.08 60315 49896 Boundary Wall
NT64NW 33.09 NT c. 601 495 Paddock Hall Cottage
NT64NW 33.10 61119 47534 East Clock Lodge
NT64NW 34 60441 49875 Dovecot
NT64NW 40 61098 47537 West Clock Lodge
NMRS REFERENCE
Demolished c. 1928
Desk Based Assessment (1 January 2010 - 31 March 2011)
The former Spottiswoode estate was the family seat of the Spottiswoodes. The estate house which dated back to around 1700 was demolished in 1938 but some features of the old estate still survive including the Gothick arches, the eagle (or clock lodges) and the old coach house and stable block. Spottiswoode is most famous for Lady Jane Scott, who wrote the refined version of the song ‘Annie Laurie’.
Information from Oasis (cfaarcha1-74119) 15 November 2013
