Description

Andrew G Heiton Jr, 1884. 2-storey, 4-bay, large square-plan piended roofed classical Italianate villa with 3-storey, 2-bay ballustaded tower to SE angle and rectangular-plan arched cast-iron conservatory with fine glazing detail to S. Later 20th century single storey garage to W. Central corniced, pillastered doorpiece with cast-iron balustrade detail, side lights and flanking niches to symmetrical principal (N) elevation (that to the right glazed). Advanced bipartite and tripartite corniced windows with cast-iron balustrade detail; stone consoled balcony and parapet balustrade to tower with curved stair tower; timber bracketed overhanging eaves; tripartite timber box dormer to S; tripartite mullioned and transomed stair window. Stugged coursed ashlar; v-channelled rusticated quoins. Base course; ground, first and second floor moulded cill courses; band course at eaves. Advanced smooth stone window consoled architraves, pedimented windows to 2nd floor of tower.

Timber sash and case windows; timber panelled doors, 2-leaf timber panelled doors to main entrance. Piended low pitch graduated slate roofs, flat lead section; corniced rectangular ashlar stacks with clays cans; square section cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: fine late 19th century classical decorative scheme survives throughout with good Jacobean styled ceilings to principal rooms. Entrance lobby with mosaic floor and painted equestrian frieze; decorative cast-iron radiator cover; original painted decorative scheme to drawing room; timber panelled stair; service stair to nursery wing; timber balustrade to viewing platform in tower billiard room and turned timber stair with basin giving roof access.

CONSERVATORY: rectangular plan barrel-vaulted cast-iron conservatory to S elevation with coursed stone base plinth; arched glazing pattern; clerestoried lantern; acroterion finial at apex. Plain glazed screen timber screen to house.

GROTTO: Presumed contemporary to house, built into raised ground sited to SW of house. 11-bay symmetrical tufa-stone clad crenellated retaining wall with timber glazed two-leaf door and decorative fan light to raised centre bay, flanking niches, rusticated piers. Glazed timber decagon cupola with lantern and finial; Tufa-stone pilasters to interior with niches. Manufacturers plaque reads: James Boyd and sons. Horticultural Builders and Heating Engineers, Glasgow and London.

GAME STORE: sited S of Grotto. Small square-plan tufa-stone clad building with bipartite round headed windows; base and string courses; lead roof with finial. Later painted brick extensions and timber bird pens.

GATEPIERS AND GATES: square rusticated corniced gatepiers with later thistle finials; low coursed stone capped walls; late 20th century railings and gates.

Late 20th century outdoor steps leading to garden.

Statement of Interest

Good example of classical Italianate domestic architecture with prominent striking corner tower. It is an example of a reduced country estate with all component parts including unusual well-detailed grotto in the grounds.

Andrew Heiton (1823-1894) was the city architect for Perth where much of his work is found. His practice however also specialised in large country houses and suburban villas, of which Brunswickhill is a fine example.

Built for Charles William Shulze on his marriage to a local Galashiels woman and was named after his home town of Brunswick in Germany. Mr Shulze set up business as 'Shulze, Gow and Company' in 1875 specialising in trading wool abroad, the business did well and allowed him to build Brunswickhill in 1884.

The stained glass panels leading to the conservatory were removed by the previous owner in 1996.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17834149

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

• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)