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Gowanbank
Farmhouse (19th Century)
Site Name Gowanbank
Classification Farmhouse (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Gowan Bank Farmhouse
Canmore ID 95205
Site Number NS97SW 25
NGR NS 91570 71261
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/95205
- Council West Lothian
- Parish Torphichen
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District West Lothian
- Former County West Lothian
Gowanbank, 1842-62, Sir James Gowans
James Gowans' seat. Re-casting of a plain, c.1820 farmhouse belonging to the architect's mason-father, Walter Gowans. Extended into a tight U-plan and transformed in character. Plain roof modulated by rows of hungry corbels, tall ashlar chimneystacks and a gradual change in stone from coarse masonry to random rubble. The steading, cartshed, dairy and cottage are in more mature Gowans; panelled façade, the rubble completely variegated, different coloured, each stone in its allotted bed. Chimneys random rubble within panelling. Chamfered corner windows, stone used for stringcourses and other details is not polished ashlar but left rude and hungry. The house at the east end of the byre bears the inscription Heb 111:4 - For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. Eccles, 11:4 1 August 1862. Gowans' rigorous 2ft module underpins everything. Restored in the 1990s as five houses by William A Cadell & Douglas Davidson
Taken from "West Lothian: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Stuart Eydmann, Richard Jaques and Charles McKean, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
NS97SW 25.00 91571 71261
NS97SW 25.01 NS 91631 71192 Steading and Cottage
NS97SW 25.02 NS 91648 71168 Dairy and Carriage House
NS97SW 25.03 NS 91640 71110 Cattle Shed
