Eskbank House, 14 Glenesk Crescent, Dalkeith

Eskbank House is a large, handsome villa built in 1794. It is a two-storey and basement building with five bays, situated on a rectangular footprint. The north elevation is constructed of broadly droved ashlar stone, with rustication at ground level. The remaining elevations are of squared and coursed rubble stone, with random stonework visible at basement level, all with ashlar dressings. Horizontal band courses are present between the basement and ground floors on the north, west, and east elevations, and between the ground and first floors on the north elevation, along with an eaves cornice. Rusticated quoins mark the corners of the ground and first floors. Raised cills are visible on the east elevation and at the first floor level of the north elevation. Flush margins and droved tails characterise the south, west, and east elevations. The windows are tallest on the ground floor, diminishing in size at the basement level.

The north elevation, which serves as the principal facade, features a doorpiece at the centre of the ground floor. This is composed of engaged Roman Doric columns supporting an architrave cornice. A flush-panelled door is set within, featuring a finely detailed radial fanlight above. Fenestration is regularly arranged across all floors. Sweeping steps, bordered by a simple wrought-iron balustrade, lead up to the door. A basement store with a door and small window has been inserted under the overhanging steps.

The south elevation is three bays wide, with the central bay bowed to accommodate a decorative semicircular conservatory with a half-conical roof. This conservatory is accessed from a Venetian door (formerly a stair window) located on the stair landing between the ground and first floors. A tripartite window with a 3-pane window below is set into the south elevation between the basement and ground floors, and a boarded door is present to the east, with a window to the left. Regular fenestration is characteristic of the outer bays.

The east elevation also has three bays, with a flush-panelled door and a 4-pane fanlight at the centre of the basement level. Regular fenestration is arranged on both the ground and first floors, with a window in the right-hand bay and another to the right of the door on the basement level.

The west elevation, similarly three bays wide, displays regular fenestration on the ground and first floors, with a variation in the left-hand bay at the first floor level. A window is centrally placed at basement level.

The windows are predominantly sash and case, with a 12-pane glazing pattern, barred at the basement level. The tripartite window on the south elevation has 4-pane side lights. The roof is piended and features a platform, with rendered and lined wallhead stacks; two stacks are located to the east and two to the west. The roof is covered with grey slates.

The interior is of a double-pile plan. It features an encaustic tiled vestibule floor, a tripartite internal door with a radial glazing pattern to a semicircular-arched fanlight, and a dog-leg staircase with an iron balustrade. A pilastered Venetian door leads into the conservatory. A blinded door maintains symmetry. Corniced door pieces are present throughout. The ceilings feature delicate plaster cornices and ceiling roses, while the upper hall has a consoled arch. Adam-style fireplaces enhance the rooms.

Enclosing the property are rubble retaining walls, with brickwork visible on the west side, and a semicircular coped wall. Two pyramidal-capped gatepiers with stop-chamfered details support iron gates facing Glenesk Crescent, with an overthrow above the pedestrian entrance.

A timber summerhouse/shed, supported by tree trunk piers, sits to the southwest of the gardens.