Temple, Green Hill

Temple of Decision, Green Hill

This single-chambered summerhouse, known as the Temple of Decision, was built between 1850 and 1856 by Alexander Roos as a focal point within the designed landscape of the House of Falkland Estate. It stands on a prominent site within the estate and was conceived to be viewed from the principal rooms of the main house. The building is now in semi-ruinous condition as of 2011. It may represent a rare surviving example of a garden temple in Scotland.

The plan was derived from the Temple of Theseus in Athens, comprising a single room with a prostyle portico and Roman pediment. The exterior is built of ashlar, while the interior is of rubble construction. A round-arched niche is set into the west elevation. An ashlar gatepier with pedimented coping stands to the north.

The House of Falkland Estate in its present form dates from the early 19th century, when it was acquired by John Bruce in 1821 upon his appointment as Keeper of Falkland Palace. Bruce improved the surrounding lands and erected cascades and bridges over the Mill and Maspie Burns. On his death in 1826, his niece Margaret Bruce inherited the estate. She married Onesiphorus Tyndall Bruce in 1828, and together they decided to demolish the existing house, Nuthill House, and commission a new residence from the architect William Burn, built between 1839 and 1844. The formal garden and landscape features, including this temple, were created during their ownership. The 3rd Marquis of Bute purchased the estate in 1887 and employed Robert Weir Schultz and William Frame to undertake interior work to the house, whilst also completing Arts and Crafts landscaping to the estate. The house served as a convalescent home during the First World War and as a home for Polish Airmen during the Second World War. By 2011, it had become a school.

Alexander Roos (circa 1810–1881) was born in Rome and trained as both an architect and landscape gardener. He moved to England and by 1843 was working in Scotland, where he maintained a working relationship with William Burn on projects at the House of Falkland, Whitehill in Midlothian, and in Lincolnshire.