Description

Attributed to James MacLaren, circa 1863. 2-storey, semi-basement and 3-stage tower, basically U-plan, large Italianate-style villa.

Sandstone coursers, some snecked rubble, random rubble at rear, grey slate roof. Base course, cill course at 1st floor, painted quoins and dressings; plate glass sash and case windows with painted margins, some bi- and tripartitees with moulded lintels, tripartite bowed windows with pilaster mullions and moulded parapets and S and E; exposed rafter ends at gables, moulded coped stacks.

W ELEVATION: 5-bay asymmetrical. Entrance tower at centre with keystoned and moulded arches at 1st stage leading to panelled door flanked by leaded windows and tripartite fanlight, moulded frieze at 2nd stage, smooth rusticated quoins, paired round-headed windows with moulded architraves and keystones at S and W, dentilled wallhead course, exposed rafters at deep eaves, shallow pyramidal roof with cast-iron finials; recessed bay at righwith bipartite window and blank heraldic panel at ground floor, 2 windows at 1st; slightly advanced gabled bay at far right with corniced bow window at ground floor, bipartite at 1st; advanced agabled bay at left of tower with tripartite window at ground floor and bipartite at 1st; single storey service bay at far left with gablehead bipartite breaking through eaves.

S ELEVATION: 5-bay, asymmetrical. 3 bays recessed at centre each with window at ground and 1st floor; advanced gable at left with corniced bow window at ground floor and tripartite at 1st, similar slightly advanced gable at right but with bipartite at 1st floor.

E ELEVATION: 4-bay. 2 bays recessed at centre with modern door at left, window at right, 2 windows at 1st floor; advanced gable at left with tripartite window at ground floor (moulded lintel removed), bipartite at 1st, similar gable at right but with bipartite at ground.

N ELEVATION: 4-bay asymmetrical. Recessed bay at centre with tripartite stair window; advanced bay at left with single border-glazed window at 1st floor, 2 windows at right return elevation; advanced bay at right with single storey projection at ground floor and 2 windows at 1st, door and 2 windows at left return elevation; modern keystoned round-headed arch links left and right bays.

INTERIOR: original marble and timber chimneypieces throughout; good plaster work in public rooms; column and pilasters in hall with Corinthian capitals; Imperial staircase with panelled balustrade, stair window border-glazed with stained glass and heraldic centre window; oak panelling in drawing room; newel stair with turned balusters to tower room.

Statement of Interest

Balnacraig was formerly named Kincraig; it was sub-divided circa 1950 when the staircase was vertically partitioned and the oak panelling removed from the dining room to the drawing room. The lodge is in separate ownership and listed separately at 75 Dundee Road. There is a strong analogy in the design to Thomas Cubitt's Osborne House, Isle of Wight (for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17813747

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

• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)