Ashley House, Ratho

Earlier 19th century with later 19th century additions and alterations, reconstruction work Dunn & Findlay, 1920. 2-storey, 3-bay villa over raised basement with 2-storey, 2-bay recessed later addition to left and single storey classical orangery to right. Rectangular-plan. Stugged ashlar sandstone with polished ashlar dressings; ashlar basement. Band course between basement and upper floors. Fluted eaves frieze. Raised quoins. Bowed tripartite windows, round-arched openings for left bow.

S (MAIN) ELEVATION: original villa symmetrical; overlooks terraced garden. Door at centre approached by curved perron stair; portico supported on Ionic columns answered by Ionic pilasters; tripartite doorpiece in segmental-arch, blinded fanlight with sidelights. Flanking 2-storey bowed window additions (from basement to ground floor). Windows regularly disposed at 1st floor; all with wrought- iron window guards; patera in frieze above later but regular centre window. Recessed to left 2-storey, 2-bay later 19th century block with base course and balustraded parapet. Tipartite door at ground to right; upper portion glazed; sunburst fanlight. Window above with projecting square balcony; elaborate cast-iron work. Bowed window at ground left with balustraded parapet; tripartite window directly above. Classical orangery adjoining house to right.

ORANGERY: 5 x 3-bay arcaded ashlar orangery. Ashlar base course; 5 glazed bays on S side; divided by plain pilasters; corner punctuated by twin pilasters. Main entrance on E elevation; symmetrical 3-bay; door at centre approached by perron stair; flanking windows; pilaster bay divisions; corners finished by twin pilasters. Fixed arch continental glazing pattern.

W ELEVATION: bowed window at centre ground; Balustraded parapet flanking curved shoulders of corniced wallhead stack at centre.

N (REAR) ELEVATION: asymmetrical. Rendered block with sandstone margins and balustrade to right and left of single storey, projecting service block.

Plate glass sash and case glazing for bows; casement windows at 1st floor. Piend and platformed grey slate roof, coped gablehead stacks; octagonal cans.

INTERIOR: not seen June 1992.