Carriden House, Bo'Ness

Dated 1602 (possibly with earlier fabric) tower house with later additions and alterations including west wing by Alexander Mylne, dated 1682 and substantial mid to later 19th century work. L-plan with small single storey L-shaped courtyard. Coursed rubble with ashlar dressings. Datestones, turrets with gunloops, crowstepped gables, battlements, gableheaded and oriel windows, arrow slits, tower.

S (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: to left, 2-storey and basement 6-bay Mylne wing with 1682 datestone. Corbelled parapet with central gable flanked by gabledheads. To right, very advanced tower house gable with later, principally Victorian alterations, 3-storey with pair of corbelled angle turrets at top floor. Central tripartite oriel window at 2nd floor with strapwork and anchor detailing above. In re-entrant angle, 2-storey castellated porch with Tudor archway reached by flight of steps with ball finialled piers. Above, coat of arms and 1863 datestone.

Variety of glazing types including plate glass, predominantly timber sash and case windows, some with horns. Grey slates, fishscale pattern to conical turrets. Large gable stacks.

INTERIOR: basement with vaulted ceilings, including wine cellar. In Mylne wing, early fireplace with deep lintel resting on corbelled piers. Turnpike staircase to tower. At 1st floor, study with fine late 17th century plaster ceiling. Deeply undercut fruit and flower wreath at centre with foliate designs in spandrels and swagged cove above cornice. Good marble chimneypiece with classical putti panel to drawing room with timber china cabinet at E end. Many original cast-iron fireplaces. In W wing, ground floor timber 2-leaf doors with semicircular stained glass panel dated 1890 above with coat of arms and heraldic motif. To E, former dining room (?) with timber panelled dado and timber chimneypiece with truncated columns of early 20th century, possibly by Matthew Steele.

BOUNDARY WALLS: to W, very high rubble wall.