Description

Dated 1828 and 1871. William Playfair, 1828-9 mansion,
enlarged 1833 and 1842; alterations 1871, re-modelled Ronald
Phillips and Partners, 1964-6. Irregular picturesque
Italianate 2-storey house of differing roof heights with
long elevations N and S, and 3-stage tower at W gable with
shallow pyramidal roof. Pinned rubble, polished and tooled
ashlar sandstone dressings.
N ENTRANCE FRONT: 5-bay block at W of range fronted by wide
single storey advanced porch with engaged Roman Doric
columns, balustrade and recessed segmental-headed entrance
sheltering glazed doors under radial fanlight. Further 4-bay
range extends from E gable (datestone of 1871) with centre
shallow porch blocked as window. Further extensive walled
service court to S closed by 2-storey service dwelling with
shallow pyramidal roof (1842).
S GARDEN FRONT: symmetrical wide 3-bay block at W with
recessed centre bay spanned by balcony with decorative
balustrade supported by paired pilasters and sheltering
glazed entrance similar to N. (Re-modelled 1964-6). Mural
sundial on S face of tower; monogrammed plaque at N.
S front extends E with round-headed ground floor windows
beneath lean-to roof supported by substantial buttresses
dividing each window bay with end single bay with segmental-
headed loggia and higher 1st floor with round-headed
tripartite and shallow pyramidal roof. Multi-pane glazing
(some horizontal); renewed ridge stacks; piended slate roofs,
at W with platform roof and modillioned eaves.
INTERIOR: mainly re-modelled in 1965-6. Entrance lobby leads
to wide corridor hall through centre of W range to garden
door and verandah. (?Re-used) panelling with niches and
bookcases; plaster decoration to ceiling, overdoors, panelled
doors and some fluted pilasters delineating panelling.
DRAWING ROOM: carved wooden chimneypiece; overdoor and
panelled door with decorative beading; shallow coffering to
ceiling.
DINING ROOM: simple moulded detailing to ceiling; corniced
overdoor; marble topped radiator grill replaces former
chimneypiece; beaded mahogony door; panelled dado.
NW SITTING ROOM: ('Boys Room); re-used panelling, delineated
on inner wall in 3 by fluted Ionic pilasters. Round-headed
keystoned detailing; lugged and carved wooden chimneypiece
with swagged detailing.
STAIRCASE: barley-sugar twist turned wooden balusters; square
end newels with carved swags in relief and urn finials.

Statement of Interest

Dunphail Castle and land originally owned by Cumins of

Altyre; passed through Dunbars of Westfield to Grants of

Grant; inherited by Gordon Cumming of Altyre and through

marriage of Major Cumming to Mary Bruce of Kinnaird (taking

name of Cumming Bruce).

Dunphail House built by L Cumming Bruce.

Small single arched bridge dated 1808, with Latin inscription commemorating Aemillae Lenox Cumming, E of mansion. Earlier

19th century octagonal garden pavilion with piended roof

at SW.

Upgarded B to A 9.11.87

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Dunphail House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17571583

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hampshire: Winchester and the North (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)