Nisbet House

150. Nisbet House.

This mansion-house is situated about 2 miles to the south of Duns on the east side of the road to Coldstream. The older part of the building is oblong on plan (fig. 81), measuring some 63 feet by 21 feet within walls averaging 3 feet 6 inches in thickness. At each of the south angles there is a circular tower (fig. 79[SC 1173155]) with an outward projection of fully 10 feet, while the north elevation (fig. 80 [SC 1173154]) is varied in treatment by two square wings containing wheel-stairs which give direct access from the basement to the level of the third floor, whence the attic is gained by two turret stairs corbelled out over the eastern re-entering angles. The original entrance doorway, now built up, is still to be seen on the exterior of the main north wall. It is of the plain square-headed type with a broad double bead-and-hollow moulding wrought on the jambs and lintel. The whole is enclosed by a curved and moulded label over which is a re-cut panel within a. moulded margin bearing the arms of the Kerrs, thus: On a chevron three stars, a crescent in dexter chief; Crest, on a helmet with mantling, a stag head; initials at top of shield I.K. And at foot the same; Motto, beneath the last, FORWARD. The existing entrance has apparently been formed in the south-west tower (fig. 79) when the west addition was built at the end of the 18th century. This later addition consists of a rectangular west wing carried up in the form of a tower measuring some 38 feet by 30 over all, having a vaulted basement and three upper floors terminating in a projecting crenellated parapet, supported by moulded corbels. Incised on the keystone of the upper west window is the date 1774 flanked by the initials A and L. The ceiling of the apartment on the level of the first floor is decorated with ornate plaster-work of the Adams period. Within the main portion of the building the arrangement is characteristic of the 17th century. The rooms have originally been the fullwidth of the house entering one off the other. The partitions shown by hatched lines on the plan are all of modern construction. The ground floor contains the kitchen at the east end communicating by the old entrance passage with a southern row of cellars. On the first floor is the great hall measuring some 40 feet in length, while a doorway formed in the east wall communicates directly with a large private room and with the landing of the east stair-case. At this level both angle towers have formed small private rooms which entered directly from the hall and from the room adjoining. The east and west stairs have evidently served respectively as a public and private means of access to the third floor. The numerous shot-holes which occur in the tower and staircase walls are remarkable, showing the retention of a defensive feature in It house which is of an advanced type in other respects. According to Nisbet's Heraldry this mansion was built by Sir Alexander Nisbet of that ilk during the reign of Charles I [1625-1649]. It is said that he took down the old castle, which was defended by a moat, in order to make room for the existing mansion. In this case the shield bearing the arms of the Kerrs may be assumed to represent a fragment of the old castle.

RCAHMS 1915, visited 27th April 1913.

OS Map: Ber., xvi. SE.

Five photographs of Nisbet House, Berwickshire, by the Scottish National Buildings Record in 1956.

Visibility: This was the site of an archaeological monument, which may no longer be visible.

Information from Scottish Borders Council