Maxwelton House

Maxwelton House is a complex house largely dating from the 17th century, with earlier fabric incorporated within its structure. The building’s general appearance is now asymmetrical, presenting as a 3-story, U-plan mansion house with a courtyard open to the south. It was significantly altered and restored between 1969 and 1973 by Michael Laird and Partners, and later a 19th-century baronial west wing was removed. Substantial remodelling occurred during this time, alongside the addition of a swimming pool to the east.

The exterior is largely harled with red or pink ashlar dressings used for margins, crowsteps and dormer heads, the latter dating from circa 1870. Small-paned sash windows are a defining feature. The north range of the house has a large, round-arched opening in the centre of each elevation, now serving as the main entrance doors. A smaller courtyard door is located to the east, near a conical-roofed, circular stair turret in the re-entrant angle; this turret features a later 17th-century crest above the door. The east range has mostly vaulted basement levels, and it is believed that a possible tower house is incorporated at the south. A west-facing door is distinguished by an inscribed lintel carrying a crest dated 1641, with a corresponding door lintel in the west range carved by Hew Lorminer in 1971. The north elevation features outer gables on the west range; the south end of this range was formerly bowed, but is now gabled, although the interior rooms retain the curved shape. A lower, 2-story range with exposed quoins returns into the courtyard to the east, and includes an upper room with a rib-vaulted ceiling traditionally believed to have been Annie Laurie’s boudoir. A more modern forestair leads to a north-facing door, which was formerly a window. Coped stacks rise from slate roofs.