Description

1886. 2-storey, 4-bay, rectangular-plan, Scottish 17th century style gabled villa. Prominent carved crests to gables, unusual stepped, tall 3-light window. Squared and tooled narrow sandstone coursers, some snecking. Base course, cornice, chamfered reveal to openings.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: 2-leaf door to centre left, 3-pane semicircular arched fanlight, panel deeply carved 'WS' above, stopped, beaded hoodmould; small window to 1st floor. Paired small windows to right, stone mullioned and transomed 3-light window above, tall with shorter light to left. Paired windows to outer right, bipartite window with stone mullion to 1st floor, gable breaking eaves. Gabled bay to left, advanced canted bay to ground, parapet with chamfered coping; 3-light window to 1st floor, stone mullions, mouled projecting lintel supporting carved strapwork with armorial shield depicting a lion rampant.

N (REAR) ELEVATION: slightly advanced gabled bay to outer left, canted window to ground with stone mullions, corbelled out to broad 3-light window with stone mullions; armorial crest within hoodmoulded, moulded panel at apex. Regular fenestration to bays to left, except blind centre bay at 1st floor, battered wallhead chimney above.

E (SIDE) ELEVATION: advanced later addition to ground floor, full-length picture window, piended roof.

W (SIDE) ELEVATION: gabled bay to left; 2-storey canted window to centre, cornice to ground and 1st floor, swept slated roof; paired blind arrow slits to apex; battered wallhead chimney to right. Modern conservatory to centre bay. Narrow windows to outer right bay, bead moulded, shouldered hoodmould to window at ground.

Predominantly modern double glazing. Stained, square leaded glass to front, centre bay. Grey slates, lead flashing. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Ball-finialed crow-stepped gables with moulded kneelers. Gable end stacks with moulded coping.

INTERIOR: not seen 2000.

GATEPIERS AND RAILINGS: freestanding octagonal columns, with ballflower frieze, cornice, pyramidal caps, in garden at rear. Iron garden railings with gilded finials.

Statement of Interest

Auchter House derives its name from its location on the confluence of the Auchter Water from Auchterhead Muir and the South Calder. The house stands on the site of the early settlement of Auchter Brigend, which was abandoned in 1654, long before Bonkle itself was founded in the late eighteenth century. Interesting features in the garden include an Edwardian timber 'Wendy' house, in poor condition, cast-iron finialed clothes-line posts and a wooded area leading down to the river confluence, which has been banked and landscaped.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77775842

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

• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)