Description
Large and rambling 2-storey mansion incorporating work
from the earlier 17th century. 2-storey, classically
detailed piend-roofed wing at right angles, 1746.
4-storey and attic Baronial addition to E, circa 1863,
with tower. Leadbetter and Fairley alterations, 1895.
Red rubble sandstone, some harl-pointing and ashlar
dressings; chamfered arrises to windows.
17TH CENTURY MANSION: 17th century core subjected to
many subsequent alterations. Gabled E-W block with
asymmetrical elevations and irregular windows. Gabled
bays to N and gabled dormerheads (1895); 5 ground floor
windows, 4 in 1st floor and 2 attic windows in
gableheads; porch with crenellated parapet set across
re-entrant angle at N made with 1746 wing; roll-moulded
door surround and panel above (currently bearing
coaching plaque); window flanking. 2 advanced, gabled
bays to S elevation, with late 19th century additions
and alterations of doors. Door inserted in W elevation
to right; rounded corners corbelled to square above;
attic window in gablehead. Garden wall and gateway
adjoined at ground.
1746 WING: N-S 2-storey block, adjoined to E end of early
mansion, at N. 4-bays to W elevation with 3 irregularly
spaced windows at ground; bank course above.
4 1st floor windows (dining room) with moulded and
lugged surrounds; rusticated quoins to 1st floor. Later
crenellated convex bay with narrow round arched slits;
1st floor window detailed as W elevation.
BARONIAL BLOCK: added to E end of 17th century mansion
and 1746 wing. Rectangular plan with gabled bays and
apex stacks; rounded corners, corbelled to square at NE.
NW angle with corbelled, crenellated tower. Corbelled
parapet and bartizan, with waterspouts at NE angle.
Doorway to outer left of E elevation; near-symmetrical,
generous windows; former door blocked. 2 bays to
gabled S elevation with window to each bay at ground,
1st 2nd floor and attic windows; bartizans corbelled at
angles with rope moulding and candle-snuffer roofs.
Gutterheads dated 1863.
Small-pane glazing patterns, predominantly in sash and
case windows. Gabled dormerheads to 1863 addition;
swept dormer (1895) to S elevation. Grey slates;
fish-scale to bartizans; ball and taper lead finials to
round tower and bartizans. Coped end stacks.
Crowstepped gables in general, with beak skewputts;
stone finials to initialled gabled dormerheads (1895).
Thistle gutterheads to N.
INTERIOR: sensitively converted to serve as hotel; stone
flagged entrance vestibule. 18th century panelling to
1st floor dining room, with Jacobean plasterwork.
Lugged bolection moulded door surrounds. 2 wall
paintings on stair of original mansion, attributed to
Robert Norie, mid 18th century, 1 after Pietro da
Cortona, the other after II Borgognone. Bedroom with
marble washbasin and sash and case mirror in turret.
Service bells retained.
GARDEN WALL: harled with manner overthrow to pedestrian
gateway, ashlar coped, adjoined to house at W, and with
portcullis panel on overthrow. Rubble terrace wall by
E elevation, with marshy land below.
Statement of Special Interest
Earliest reference to Johnstounburn is of 1260.
The early to earlier 17th century long and narrow
building was apparently an Inn from an early date, known
as "The Highwayman's Haunt", serving as a coaching Inn
for the London-Edinburgh traffic. The Borthwick family
later took possession of the house, certainly by the
early 19th century. Later in the 18th century it was
bought by the Broun family who were responsible for the
mid 19th century work. In 1894 Andrew Usher, brewing
magnate, made further alterations (including his
initials on the dormerhead). The Crookshank family then
inherited the property in whose hands it remained until
the 1960's. The dining room panelling bears similarities
with that at Gilmerton House, Athelstaneford. The
Lodge, entrance gate, summer house, walled garden,
dovecot and coach house are listed separately.