Balcaskie House

Original, L-plan house consisting of western 2/3 of south

front and western gable of north front, 3 storeys with

dormerheads, with northern jamb raised to 4; enlarged and

altered by Sir William Bruce 1668-74 for himself; William

Burn additions and alterations 1827, David Bryce alterations

1. Now essentially Scottish Renaissance house; Bruce

extended L-plan to U with 4 angle pavilions, infilling the

area between the north wings with a 2-storeyed block,

probably having a platform and balustraded roof.

NORTH ELEVATION central section: now 5-bay, 3-storey (upper

storey raised, mid 18th century), flanked by crowstepped

cross wings 3 storeys at east, 4 at west, windows now

regularised, the gable end flush with central bays,

projecting porch (1830-31 Thomas Clark builder) with 18th

century Venetian window above, 3 windows in 2nd floor; outer

advanced pavilions linked by quadrant screens to 5-bay,

2-storey, piended roofed pavilions probably circa 1745.

LONG GARDEN FRONT: 2 storeys and attic irregular

fenestration, cast-iron balcony at first floor (1830-31

Clark) partly obscuring Bruce's pedimented and banded

pilaster doorpiece supporting swags of fruit and a basket;

projecting end pavilions, west with oriel of 1853.

EAST ELEVATION: double gabled out-shot housing service stair

1830-31.

WEST ELEVATION: with corbelled ogee domed turret and stair

tower with conical roof and single bay infilled 1856-58 by

Bryce between outer square pavilions. Steeply pitched slate

roof with crowsteps and dormer heads to garden, shallower

pitch to north.

INTERIOR: Much of Bruce's interior survives including

chequered marble floor in hall. 1st floor 3 Bruce apartments

open off gallery, high relief ceilings by George

Dunsterfield; originally at west Dining Room (now Drawing

Room) Drawing Room (now Library) centre, State Bed-chamber

(now Dining Room) at east; central and eastern room with

painted ceiling panels. Remaining 1st floor apartments circa

1830 with Burn chimneypieces. Stair from entrance hall by

Burn circa 1831, west stair by Bryce. On 2nd floor the Blue

Bedroom and Globe Room with low relief plaster ceilings.

Fine balustraded terrace garden. Numerous garden ornaments,

urns, mercury etc.