Hill Of Tarvit, South Terace And Steps

The layout on the south side of the house drops down in two main stages from forecourt level, with a higher stone paved platform within the recessed central section of the house front rising up seven steps. A broad stone path, varying from 4.0 to 4.7m wide, leads from it to two groups of steps at each terrace. The terrace walls are simple rubble construction with plain copes; approximate heights: 1.05m (upper) and 1.9m (lower). In addition, a low rubble wall (no cope, c.0.7m high) runs in front of the upper terrace to form a raised bed; remains of posts of iron railings. The two terrace walls are planted with yew hedges, the upper approximately 0.5m high and allowing a clear view over, the lower approximately 1.2m high.

The otherwise simple treatment of the terraces is ornamented by the balustrading to the lower set of steps. The upper set of two short flights has a pair of stone baskets of fruit as the only ornamentation. The lower steps (10 risers, 3.97m wide) runs in a fight on the axis then splits to two flights at right angles (13 risers, 2.71m wide), creating a balcony between them overlooking the lower lawn, with each edge protected by a stone balustrade. The wide spaced balusters are in the characteristic ‘Hill of Tarvit’ style, comprising cubic shapes with rounded corners, the square plan set a 45 degrees to the line of the moulded top rail. Piers with protruding rectangular panels terminate each run and mark changes in direction, most toped by Lorimer’s characteristic ‘lemon-squeezer’ fluted finials. Either side of the balcony small marble lions, distinctly older than the other stonework (dated to ca. 1690), act as finials.

Information from NTS