Whittingehame Tower

Late 15th to early 16th century L-plan tower house, with

single storey wing to W probably added in early 19th

century along with further alterations, and gabled

2-storey projection to S added 1964. 2-storey tower

house with cap-house. Deep corbelled and crowstepped

parapet with water spouts at intervals. Red rubble

sandstone; harled brick to 1964 addition. Chamfered

arrises to windows; small-pane glazing to sash and case

form. Grey slates.

TOWER: stair jamb to E side; doorway to left with roll and

cavetto surround and lintel shield (Douglases of

Whittingehame); small irregular stair windows above and

gunloop under parapet; further blind gunloops on N side.

N elevation with 2 early 19th century hoodmoulded

windows at 1st floor with smaller earlier window above.

Addition of 1964 on S elevation to right side with early

19th century wing adjoined to SW corner. W elevation

given hoodmould; small square window at centre. Early

19th century wing adjoined to SW corner. W elevation

given pointed-arch window at ground, probably in early

19th century; blind gunloop above and window under

parapet (recently repaired). Crowstepped gables to

cap-house, with gable-end stacks; diminutive cap-house

above stair jamb.

W WING: single storey, flat-roofed, 7-bay wing running to

W, adjoined to SW corner of tower, probably altered in

early 19th century and incorporating earlier walls and

formerly with crenellated parapet. N elevation blank with

dagger carved on 1 stone. 7 hoodmoulded windows to S

elevation, with penultimate window to right altered to

doorway (French windows). Moulded eaves cornice to N.

Drum stack, recently altered.

S ADDITION: 2-bays deep. Irregular windows with gabled

dormerheads to 1st floor windows breaking eaves;

doorway on S gabled elevation.

TOWER INTERIOR: barrel-vaulted ground floor,

white-washed. Outstanding 17th century strapworked

plaster ceiling to 1st floor drawing room with heraldic,

mystical and fertility symbols set in naturalistic borders

(recently restored). 17th century woodwork and wall

recess (servery); egg and dart enrichment to doors,

probably later 17th century.

WELLHEAD: white stone circular wellhead with acanthus

carving, worked at corners to support moulded square

surround; set on octagonal base. Decorative

wrought-iron overthrow.

SUNDIAL: octagonal stone columnar sundial set on stepped

octagonal base with blind quatrefoil carving on pedestal

and blind Y-tracery moulding to shaft; acanthus moulding

to wider neck and table cornice.