The Firs, Ecclefechan

The Firs is an earlier 19th century former manse, built on a symmetrical, rectangular plan with three bays and two storeys plus an attic. It is constructed of painted random rubble with painted ashlar margins. A moulded cornice features decorative cast iron brackets, and a central door is topped with a plain fanlight.

The interior features a partly glazed timber panelled door with sidelights leading to a hallway with decorative etched glass. Marble fireplaces, plaster ceiling roses, and moulded cornicing are found in the principal ground floor rooms. A later turned timber staircase has been added. Plate glass is set within timber sash and case windows with horns on the main elevation, while some uPVC replacement windows are present on the side and rear elevations. The pitched roof is covered with grey slates laid in diminishing courses, with straight skews and corniced ashlar end stacks topped with circular clay cans. A cast iron rainwater hopper is inscribed with the initials ‘WR’.

A single-storey, U-plan coach house is situated to the rear. It is built of stugged, squared and shecked masonry with droved ashlar dressings and features three square-headed arched openings. A timber ledge and brace door is on the right, a timber stable door is set within a horizontal boarded surround in the centre, and the left has a further opening. The hipped roof is covered with grey slates in diminishing courses, with corniced ashlar ridge stacks. The interior of the coach house retains a single timber stall.

A squared rubble boundary wall with a droved ashlar semicircular cope runs to the east of the courtyard.

The Firs represents a well-preserved example of an earlier 19th century vernacular building. Its original setting has been retained and contributes significantly to the character of the area. The building’s early construction is evidenced by the windows being set close to the eaves. It was originally built as a manse for the United Presbyterian Church, which was established in Ecclefechan in 1748 and initially held services outdoors before a thatched church was built in 1766. An Ordnance Survey map from 1862 shows the church originally located on the street line in front of the manse. According to Small, the manse was an excellent house with a garden and a small park. A new church, now known as the Johnstone United Presbyterian Church, was constructed around 1864, followed by another manse around 1870. The earlier windows originally featured a 12-pane glazing pattern.