Description

17th century laird's house of complex building history. Possibly originally single storey L-plan, later raised to 2 storeys. Mid-18th century 2-storey, 2-bay addition adjoining to E, 19th century alterations and additions at rear. Harled, with sandstone ashlar dressings, some chamfered arrises. Sash and case windows with 12-pane glazing pattern. Steeply pitched, grey slated roof, probably originally thatched. 17TH CENTURY HOUSE : L-plan; S (FRONT) ELEVATION possibly originally single-storey, with 3 near regular bays, centre door blocked to form window. Possibly raised later with 3 widows at 1st floor. Outer windows taller, without chamfered arrises; probably enlarged. Coped ashlar skew with scrolled skewputt contemporary with mid 18th century addition eo E (see below).

W ELEVATION: wing extending at right angles to N; slightly lower, 2-storey, 3-bay range, 19th century piended porch projecting at centre of ground floor, windows flanking. 2 windows at 1st floor, probably originally a window to outer left, now blocked. W gable of S elevation has 2 windows at ground floor, later window at 1st floor, 2 small openings to attic. Crowstepped gables and broad harled stack.

MID 18TH CENTURY ADDITION: adjoining E gable and S elevation. Taller, 2-storey, 2-bay, probably providing 1st floor drawing room. Door to left at ground floor with Gibbs surround; shadow of former porch. Tall windows with chamfered arrises. Ashlar coped skews with scrolled skewputts, raised harles stacks.

N (REAR) ELEVATION: lean-to service stair addition with service court below, 1st floor corridor supported by cast-iron columns in angle of 2 wings. 2 windows breaking eaves at 1st floor of W wing probably enlarged. Interior not seen.

OUTBUILDINGS: two, of random rubble, much altered, currently in use of stables. Building to N 2-storey, 3-bay window to S gable with dove ledge above, red pantiles, brick stack linked by rubble wall to piend-roofed 2-storey building to S with tall doorway, 1st floor door to N gable, red pantiles.

GARDEN WALLS: rubble, tufa coped garden walls with gateway to front garden to S, enclosing gardens and orchard.

WELLHEAD: small rubble wellhead buildings sited in garden to N of house."JOHN KNOX'S KIRK": fragments of a rubble building built into garden walls, popularly called "John Knox's Kirk" (see notes)

Statement of Interest

An important early house. The Inventory gives a reference for John Knox's Kirk from McCrie's LIFE OF KNOX (1839) p26; Knox apparently catechised his pupils "publicly in a chapel at Longniddrie...the ruins of which are still apparent... popularly called John Knox's Kirk". The house is now part of the Wemyss Estate.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17805476

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

• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)