Old Fairnilee House
Country House (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Old Fairnilee House
Classification Country House (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Fernelea Castle; Fernilee Tower; Fairnilee; Fairnalee
Canmore ID 54438
Site Number NT43SE 3
NGR NT 45548 33168
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/54438
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Caddonfoot
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Ettrick And Lauderdale
- Former County Selkirkshire
NT43SE 3 45548 33168
(NT 4555 3316) Fairnilee (NR) (rems of)
OS 6" map (1971)
For the modern Fairnilee House, see NT43SE 41.
The mansion of Fairnilee, now ruinous, was built about 1700 (the exact date is uncertain). Built of rubble with freestone dressings, it was a long rectangular building, measuring externally about 82 ft 6 ins by 24 ft 6 ins. In 1887, it stood almost entire, though roofless.
However, in 1934, the eastern two-thirds had been reduced to little more than the foundations, while the remainder stood entire to the wall-head and was re-roofed in 1910.
Little remains to mark the position of the entrance, which was at the centre of the SW side; an armorial panel from above it has been built into the NE wall.
RCAHMS 1957, visited 1934; D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887; A M T Maxwell- Irving 1974
Fairnilee is as described by the previous authorities.
Published survey to be amended by field surveyor.
Visited by OS (RD) 28 January 1966
'Farnyle' accounted for 1 1/2 stedes in Ettrick Forest in 1456. It was held by George Ker of Lintoun in 1588.
M L Anderson 1967.
Sbc Note
Visibility: Upstanding building, which may not be intact.
Information from Scottish Borders Council
