Kippilaw House
Country House (Period Unassigned), Tower House (Medieval)
Site Name Kippilaw House
Classification Country House (Period Unassigned), Tower House (Medieval)
Canmore ID 55448
Site Number NT52NW 7
NGR NT 54902 28697
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/55448
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Bowden
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Ettrick And Lauderdale
- Former County Roxburghshire
NT52NW 7 54902 28697.
NT52NE 12 55555 29124 Gateway
(Centre: NT 54902869) Kippilaw (NAT)
OS 6" map (1918-38)
Kippilaw. In this large, composite house the earliest part seems to be the three-storeyed block on the S side. This may originally have been L-shaped on plan with the wing extending NW and the re-entrant angle opening to the N. Though the whole structure is uniformly rubble-built, the quoin stones at the SW corner resemble 16th-century masonry while some recent alterations disclosed a pointed window, built up in what was once the NE gable. This part of the house may consequently be the remains of a late mediaeval tower.
Be that as it may, John Seton Kerr at some time between 1799 and 1815 added a Georgian block on the NE. Of three storeys, like the older portion, it is pedimented in front and has backset dressings at the voids. In 1886 this addition was itself added to on the N, with the result that the Georgian front became asymmetrical, while other extensions were formed W and N of the original nucleus. At the same time the house was entirely modernised within, and today the only feature of special interest is a fine Regency mantelpiece of pine with stucco enrichment; this, however, was brought to Kippilaw by the present proprietor from Whitelee, near Newtown St. Boswells.
RCAHMS 1956, visited 1946
As described above, this residence has been much restored and has no outstanding architectural features. Only on the SE face of the main block can any trace be seen of the early building.
Visited by OS (EGC) 18 February 1961
BUILT IN 1866.
Sbc Note
Visibility: This is an upstanding building.
Information from Scottish Borders Council.
