Ruins Of Gatehouse 130 Metres West Of Columbjohn Farmhouse

The ruins of a gatehouse located 130 metres west of Columbjohn Farmhouse date back to the 16th century and were part of the now-destroyed Columbjohn Mansion. The structure is built from random rubble volcanic trap, featuring dressed stone quoins and a moulded wall plinth. Surviving elements include the inner arch and wall, along with portions of the side walls. The arch displays composite concave and cyma recta moulding, with capitals and shafts that have prominent roll moulding. On the exterior to the north, there is a hood mould with distinctive stops shaped like diamonds, accompanied by three decorative bosses. Historically, the Manor of Columbjohn was owned by the Courtenay earls of Devon by the early 15th century. It is believed that foundations for a new house were laid by Henry Courtenay, Marquis of Exeter, but construction halted after his attainder in 1539. The property was later purchased by Sir John Acland during the reign of Elizabeth I, and the antiquarian Lysons suggested that he built a new house on Courtenay's foundations. In March 1646, Columbjohn served as the headquarters for Sir Thomas Fairfax.