Description

Dated 1754, 1777 and 1792, but incorporating parts of earlier
buildings in the NE and SE ranges. Now forms E-plan mansion,
harled with ashlar dressings and extensive use of ashlar
sandstone margins, the facade regularised to give symmetrical
SE, NE & SW elevations, the NW Frontage still retains
elements of previous building and is not symmetrical.
NW E-plan elevation; projecting central 4-storey over
basement, wide canted tower turning to elongated octagon
above main roof; centre ground floor pedimented entrance
with moulded lugged architraves, approached by flight steps
over-sailing basement with decorative cast-iron balustrade;
margined windows with bracketted cill-in all floors in 3
canted bays; dated 1754 over 3rd floor central window;
piended slate roof terminating with gilded ball finials;
look-out platform to SE. Tower flanked by lower bays (with
some blocked fenestration) and projecting 3-bay wings of
unequal width.
NW elevation forms SE side of large service courtyard with
low 2-storey ranges of offices, bakehouse, etc., on SW and NE,
including 2 matching pavilions with vaulted ground floors
with arched entrances and forestairs, that to left with 1
(possibly 2) gun loops and small barred window; round-
headed archways in east and west (west dated 1792); pair
blind octagonal occuli in north face of courtyard wall
flanking round-headed main entrance with channelled ashlar
surround and moulded imposts, probably of 1790 date. SW
elevation; long 2-storey and dormerless attic over raised
basement, 11-bay facade with slightly advanced and
pedimented centre 3 bays not aligned on rear tower; full
height canted bays at east and west gables with piended
roofs, centre corniced entrance approached by perron with
basement door below with Gibbs surround; original decorative
cast-iron balustrade with pair cast-iron lamp standards
(imported from Edinburgh circa 1970) and similar lamp
projected on brackets above doorway. Moulded cornice to
pediment with centre coat of arms and 1777 datestone; 3
decorative terminal stone urns.
Multi-pane glazing throughout, some with thick mid-18th
century astragals band and cill courses; moulded skews and
eaves cornice; margined end and ridge stacks; piended slate
roofs; gilded ridge ball finials.
Interior: elegant cantilevered staircase with turned wood
balusters and broken strings (the surviving roll-moulded
detail suggests that the treads were re-used from a previous
stair); stone newel stair in NE wing (possible from earlier
castle).
Public rooms; dining room with simple cornice, probably
reappointed at end of 18th century when canted bay added roll
moulded surround to fireplace and good cast-iron grate (circa
1800) with Munro motto "Dread God".
Large drawing room late 18th century 1-1/2 storeys high,
fluted frieze with rosettes, symmetrically placed doors and
cupboards; original chimney piece removed. 1st floor rooms
mainly raised and fielded panelling of mid-18th century date.
The house contains many good cast-iron grates, circa 1800 and
2 free standing ornamental cast-iron stoves, 1 dated 1786,
Cooper and Sons (still working). The basement contains
kitchen with many fittings, possibly late 18th/early 19th
century. Part of SW basement now Clan Museum, the wattle and
daub partition construction displayed.

Statement of Interest

Built on site of earlier castle destroyed by fire in mid 18th

century Seat of Clan Munro. Tower in middle of north

elevation resembles that at Poyntzfield (Resolis, Black

Isle), also a Munro house.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Foulis Castle at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q5474201

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

• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
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  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)