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Houstoun House, Sundial

Sundial (18th Century)

Site Name Houstoun House, Sundial

Classification Sundial (18th Century)

Alternative Name(s) Houston

Canmore ID 120680

Site Number NT07SE 10.01

NGR NT 05263 71308

Datum OSGB36 - NGR

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/120680

Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer. © Copyright and database right 2024.

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Administrative Areas

  • Council West Lothian
  • Parish Uphall
  • Former Region Lothian
  • Former District West Lothian
  • Former County West Lothian

Recording Your Heritage Online

Houstoun House, Uphall, from 16th century

Striking vertical U-plan mansion, brilliant-white harl, stone margins to windows and doors, and steeply pitched and slated crowstepped roof. It has been through many changes: the skyline probably sliced in the 18th century, additions infilling the square with a new wing and stair to the north-west, causing a re-siting of the entrance first to the south and then to the east. Restored as his home by the architect, Ian G Lindsay, in the 1940s. Subsequently refurbished and extended as hotel by Wheeler & Sproson, 1970, who removed the east porch and added the attractive glazed foyer to the east and sympathetic, slate-hung bedroom block. Normal ground-floor vaulted cellars now bar and meeting room; delightful principal-floor apartments with much of the original panelling and plasterwork. The north wing across the walled courtyard was the woman house, 1600, with a coachhouse, 1736, and stables adjoining. Good 17th-century lectern doocot, sundial, 1757, on a square baluster, and lovely formal gardens. A most beautiful place, Houstoun was built for, or extended by, the advocate, Sir Thomas Shairp. The 1980, 'heritage-style', crowstepped bedroom block gave its design palette to the large-scale 'village street' of bedroom and ancillary facilities by Crerar and Partners, 1995 and 1998. Flat-roofed private house to the west by Donald Mclnne

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

Archaeology Notes

NT07SE 10.01 052 713

The account given by Hynd may refer to the garden at this Houston House, or to that at NS 411 671, for which see NS46NW 13.01.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 1 Sept. 1997.

Activities

Field Visit (10 September 1926)

SUNDIAL. In the garden south of the house is a late baluster-dial, 4 ¾ feet in height and 16 ½ inches in greatest width.

RCAHMS 1929, visited 10 September 1926

References

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