Denmylne Steading
Architectural Fragment (16th Century), Farmstead (Period Unassigned), Lintel(S) (17th Century), Heraldic Device (17th Century)
Site Name Denmylne Steading
Classification Architectural Fragment (16th Century), Farmstead (Period Unassigned), Lintel(S) (17th Century), Heraldic Device (17th Century)
Canmore ID 30106
Site Number NO21NW 47
NGR NO 2496 1753
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/30106
- Council Fife
- Parish Abdie
- Former Region Fife
- Former District North East Fife
- Former County Fife
Field Visit (23 June 1925)
INSCRIBED AND CARVED STONES.
(1) In the rockery of the farmhouse garden is a carved stone, 2 feet I inch by I foot 7 inches by 9 inches, supposed to be a sundial but in reality the top of a large Gothic niche of late 15th- or early 16th-century date. The front and sides are enriched with tabernacle-work, the soffit being wrought to resemble rib-vaults meeting at a central boss.
(2) Over the doorway at the head of a forestair in the steading is a lintel inscribed, M.B.L.D. 1625, for Michael Balfour and his wife, Joan or Jean Durham (1). Another lintel similarly inscribed is built in above a loft window.
(3) The same initials occur above and below a scrolled cartouche inserted over the cart-shed. The cartouche bears a shield: Parted per pale: dexter, [on] a chevron [an otter's head], in base a rose, for Balfour; sinister, a crescent, in chief three mullets, for Durham.
(4) A lintel built in above the garden entrance is inscribed: HIC ARGUS NON BRIARIUS- F 1679 (2).
RCAHMS 1933, visited 23 June 1925
