Stables, House Of Falkland

Stables, House Of Falkland

A two-storey classical stable complex designed by John Swinton and built in 1822–4, with later additions and improvements from 1889 onwards by Donald A Stewart. The building forms a courtyard plan with nine bays, featuring a prominent timber cupola on the south elevation. The principal south-facing elevation displays coursed, squared rubble masonry, while other elevations are built in rubble. Piended dormers break the wallhead to east and west.

The principal elevation is symmetrically arranged with a central, slightly advanced pedimented segmental archway flanked by slatted timber entrance doors with shouldered arched windows. Above the archway stands a two-stage octagonal timber weatherboarded tower. The outer bays, arranged in pairs, are similarly advanced. Within the courtyard, several segmental-arched openings contain two-leaf part-glazed doors and small upper-level segmental-arched window openings. Forestairs occupy the north and south elevations. A notable circular cast iron horsetrough with four stylised horse legs as supports sits in the courtyard; this is a fine example from the firm Walter Macfarlane & Co, described in their pattern books as pattern 11, likely dating from the later 19th century.

The windows are predominantly three-over-three and six-over-six pane timber sash and case type, with rooflights also present. The roof is covered in grey slate with ridge stacks and wallhead stacks. Cast iron rainwater goods complete the external detailing.

The interior, partly visible during 2010 inspection, shows the south range fitted with timber stalls with metal end posts, hay baskets, and a cobbled floor with simple cornicing. The north range contains offices with timber panelling. In 1997, the south range was converted into offices and residential accommodation.

Originally associated with Nuthill House, these stables were rebuilt when John Swinton undertook alterations to that property in 1822, likely reusing material from previous stables. The stables are the sole remaining structure from the early 19th-century development of the House of Falkland Estate. When Nuthill House was demolished around 1839 to make way for the new House of Falkland (designed by William Burn and constructed 1839–44), these stables remained. The timber tower, a distinctive feature, was added during the 1889 improvements under Donald A Stewart.

The House of Falkland Estate lies close to Falkland Palace immediately to the east. The estate in its present form dates from the early 19th century when acquired by John Bruce, who improved the surrounding landscape, erecting cascades and bridges over the Mill and Maspie Burns. On Bruce's death in 1826, his niece Margaret Bruce inherited the estate. She married Onesiphorus Tyndall Bruce in 1828, and together they commissioned the new house from William Burn. The 3rd Marquis of Bute purchased the estate in 1887. During the First World War, the house served as a convalescent home, and during the Second World War it housed Polish airmen. The estate is now a school.