Blackburn House
House (18th Century)
Site Name Blackburn House
Classification House (18th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Blackburn House Policies
Canmore ID 214037
Site Number NT06NE 56
NGR NT 00090 65596
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/214037
- Council West Lothian
- Parish Livingston
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District West Lothian
- Former County West Lothian
Blackburn House, 1771
Janus-faced house: ceremonial north front, with later Doric porch, presents pedimented and pavilion-roofed picture of gentility flanked by a screen to pavilions. But first-floor windows do not light generously proportioned rooms (the attic floor runs across their middle). East and west it appears not as a country mansion but as a farmhouse; and those pavilions as barns. East/west passage beneath the house. Fine drawing and dining rooms with plaster ceilings and bay windows with a splendid view south. Restored, 2007, after 30 years of neglect, by Simpson and Brown for the Cockburn Conservation Trust as a centre for the creative industries with Heritage Lottery, European, enterprise company and council support.
Taken from "West Lothian: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Stuart Eydmann, Richard Jaques and Charles McKean, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
NT06NW 56.00 0008 6560
NT06NE 56.01 NT 00119 65608 Dovecot
NT06NE 56.02 NT 00057 65603 W pavilion
NT06NE 56.03 NT 00106 65631 E pavilion
Standing building recording NT 0008 6560 Analytical observations were made of this small country house (NT06NE 56), associated outbuildings and steading of c 1760. Evidence was noted for remodelling of the upper parts of the main house, and alteration of the fenestration on the N (entrance) frontage; alterations perhaps at the time of the addition
of the present porch - early 19th century (?by Gillespie Graham).
Within the house interior, evidence for the original form of wooden fireplace surrounds and panelling was recorded. Of particular note was evidence for architraves with pulvinated friezes of retrospective character.
An assessment of the early finishes was made in order to guide reinstatement. In most areas evidence for false ruling-out was seen; however there was no evidence that the structure had been painted. The S frontage may have been treated differently, with evidence suggesting raised, regularly formed ribbon pointing (overlying dressings and rubblework alike) to simulate ashlar work.
Sponsors: Cockburn Conservation Trust, Simpson & Brown Architects.
T Addyman 2005.
