Novar House

House; of varying dates from 1720, on earlier site and

possibly incorporating earlier fragments. Large 2-storey

south facing U-plan house with inner courtyard, and service

wings extending north flanking walled courtyard. All harled

with ashlar and rendered dressings.

Tall centre symmetrical south facing 2-storey and attic,

5-bay block, dated 1720; wallhead and attic storey raised in

1897, when various carved stones were inserted above each 1st

floor window. 3 gabletted dormers; corniced end stacks.

2 storey, 2-bay wings flank centre south block at east and

west with east and west canted bay windows rising full

height. Rear wings have cross wing enclosing inner court

reached through advanced centre open pedimented bay with

narrow arched entrance and flanking rusticated rendered

pilasters with eagle finials and centre round-headed 1st

floor window. Re-sited modern asymmetrically placed porticoed

entrance to main house (dated 1956) within inner court.

Projecting rear service wings each include 3 garages slapped

in ground floors, with rendered surrounds with rusticated

keystoned detailing. Mainly 12-pane glazing; corniced end and

ridge stacks; crow-stepped gables; piended and gabled slate

roofs. Outer courtyard enclosed by high coped rubble walls

with centre entrance at north flanked by pair rusticated

gate piers with moulded copes and ball finials.

Interior: some changes in ground floor plans owing to various

additions and to principal entrance being moved from centre

south to north side of house. Large centre ground floor south

hall enlarged and converted to dining room, with inserted

party wall screening centre stairs. Later 18th century west

drawing room has swagged plaster ceiling mouldings enclosing

de Wit allegorical painting removed from Rosehaugh (Avoch

parish; W Flockhart, 1893, demolished circa 1972). Similar

room at east with later 18th century simple moulded ceiling

cornice; various later 18th century chimney pieces, doors and

doorcases. Wide later 18th century stairs with turned wood

balusters, leading to 1st floor landing and long 1st floor

drawing room, taking up all centre south five bays. Ornate

later 18th century Adamesque moulded ceiling in blue and

white, divided into 3 deep compartments; later 18th century

chimney pieces (wood) with simple swags; small late 19th

century gallery over centre door, decorated as ceiling.

Walled gardens; ornamental walled garden extends to west of

house with (1956) niches containing garden statuary. Further

large walled garden with high coped rubble walls and ornate

wrought iron gates stands to north of house.