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Down Law, Baron's Folly
Folly (18th Century)
Site Name Down Law, Baron's Folly
Classification Folly (18th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Fairnington; Downlaw
Canmore ID 56982
Site Number NT62NW 22
NGR NT 63719 26797
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/56982
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Roxburgh
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Roxburgh
- Former County Roxburghshire
Octagonal summerhouse and observatory with piended roof surmounted by iron finial. Gothick pointed window openings on three sides, boarded up. Later wooden door to NE. Random rubble with dark whinstone pinnings and rusticated quoins on window and door openings. Welsh slate roof.
Prominently situated on summit of Down Law within the Fairnington estate. Baron´s Folly was built as a summerhouse and observatory by Baron Robert Rutherford, merchant, into whose hands the estate of Fairnington passed in c.1777. It is described as a summerhouse on John Ainslie´s 'Map of the Southern Part of Scotland´ of 1821 but by 1843 is recorded as 'Baron´s Folly´. It is visible from several miles away from every direction and is an important feature in the landcape. (Historic Scotland)
Photographic Survey (October 1964)
Photographic survey of Baron's Folly, Down Law, Roxburghshire, by the Scottish National Buildings Record in 1964
Sbc Note (15 April 2016)
Visibility: Standing structure or monument.
Information from Scottish Borders Council
