Dunlop House

Dunlop House is a 3-storey Baronial Tower House with attic, built to designs by David Hamilton between 1831 and 1834. The building is approximately square in plan and exemplifies the Jacobean Revival style, featuring richly detailed strapwork ornaments throughout.

The exterior is constructed of droved sandstone ashlar with polished ashlar dressings, incorporating a base course, eaves cornice, and raised quoin strips (some buckle quoins). A 4-storey square tower projects to the north-east, and an enclosed single-storey service courtyard with an arched entrance adjoins the building to the north.

The principal east elevation is dominated by an advanced gabled entrance tower with bartizan turrets at attic level, flanked by bays and a square tower to the outer right. The entrance comprises a 2-leaf timber panelled door with a blind rectangular panel above, set within a moulded architrave and flanked by paired decorative pilasters. A deep balcony above features an open strapwork parapet and shield, supported on paired consoles. Strapwork pediments ornament the first and third floor windows, while corbelled bartizans emerge at second floor level. A gabled bay to the left contains a large balconied window at first floor with strapwork pediments to all upper floor windows and a corbelled bartizan turret at attic. The square tower to the right displays regular fenestration with slit windows to three elevations, arched windows to ground and first floor, mini consoled pediments to first floor, and strapwork pediments to second floor, surmounted by a leaded roof with lantern-finial.

The south elevation features an advanced irregularly-fenestrated bay to the left with a balconied first floor window and bartizan turrets beneath a shaped, finialed gable. A modern fire-escape tower occupies the centre. To the right, a 2-storey canted bay window displays mullioned lights at first floor and a strapwork parapet above forming a balcony to the second floor window. A slightly advanced gable with finial and scrolled skewputts rises from second floor, with an arched slit window to the attic. A balustraded parapet runs along the roof.

The west (garden) elevation comprises an advanced 3-storey, 3-bay section to the right with gables to north and south returns. A 2-storey canted bay to the left features an open loggia at ground level and a 5-light transomed, mullioned window at first floor, with a balustraded parapet above forming a balcony to a bipartite second floor window with raised wallhead and elaborate strapwork pediment. The right section displays regular fenestration with pedimented dormers to second floor windows. A recessed 2-bay section includes a balustraded staircase at ground rising to a doorway, with a recessed entrance below the steps, a tripartite mullioned window at first floor, and corbelled dormers breaking the eaves.

The north (rear) elevation displays a projecting service courtyard at ground level with a regularly fenestrated, coped outer wall and lean-to offices inside. A basket-arched entrance with moulded architrave provides access, above which sits a bracketed Baroque bellcote with rusticated pilasters, scrolled pediments to each elevation, and a consoled finial surmounted by a cast-iron weathervane. The house behind exhibits fairly regular fenestration, with the square tower visible to the outer left and a gable to the right fronted by a non-traditional fire-escape.

The roofs are gabled with some piended sections, finished in graded grey slate with grey ridge tiles. Ashlar-coped skews frame the gables. Windows predominantly feature 14- and 10-pane glazing in timber sash and case frames, many set within architraves and cornices. Bartizan turrets terminate in arched slit windows, domed leaded roofs, and ball finials. Dormer windows with decorative gables, balconied windows, and shaped gables with scrolled skewputts complete the ornamental detailing.

Interior spaces are extensively finished. The ground floor includes a tiled entrance hall with decorative consoled cornice and a framed datestone from a previous house; a groin-vaulted strong room; a vaulted wine cellar with 32 bins; and a reception room to the north of the lobby with a painted marble fireplace and flanking round-arched recesses. A cantilevered stone service stair with cast-iron balusters and mahogany rail rises to the second floor.

The first floor contains the landing of the principal staircase, which features pilasters and columns with strapwork capitals (the stairs themselves have been removed). Panelling to dado level and corniced timber door architraves embellish the space. The drawing room is particularly ornate, with a very decorative compartmented plaster ceiling featuring a central ceiling rose, a brown marble fireplace, and decorative cast-iron pelmets over windows. An ante room with a bowed end adjoins this space. The dining room features a compartmented ceiling (less decorative than the drawing room), decorative timber panelling to dado, timber panelled shutters, decorative cast-iron pelmets, and a brown marble chimneypiece with strapwork motif cast-iron backplates. The sitting room contains working timber panelled shutters, a compartmented ceiling, and strapwork motif cornice. Most rooms display decorative cornicing, with some timber panelled interior doors and marble chimneypieces throughout.

The second floor landing of the principal stair features a large central skylight, coffered ceiling, timber panelling to dado, corniced timber door architraves, and a large arch to the west wall.

The remains of a single-arch balustraded footbridge survive to the south-east of the house.