Middle Gate-Lodge And Gates, Oxenfoord Castle

Early 19th century, the Middle Gate-Lodge and gates form an entrance building to Oxenfoord Castle. The lodge is a single storey structure of four bays, originally three bays with a near contemporary single bay addition to the north-east. It is constructed of squared sandstone rubble with droved ashlar dressings, featuring chamfered arrises and painted window margins.

The south-east (principal) elevation has a boarded door positioned centrally to the three-bay portion, with a small-pane fanlight above. Windows flank the door. Crowstepped skews and beak skewputts are present, with a ball finial surmounting the gable to the right. A lower single bay addition is to the far right, also with crowstepped skews and beak skewputts.

The south-west elevation shows a gabled end with a central window, along with the characteristic crowstepped skews and beak skewputts, topped by a ball finial. The north-west (rear) elevation has a later lean-to addition that conceals the original elevation. The north-east elevation was not visible in 2002.

The windows are 12-pane timber sash and case. The roof is gabled and covered with grey slate, with zinc ridging. Painted cast-iron rainwater goods are in place. A double stone stack with a cope and paired cans is off-centre to the left on the main building, and a single stone gable-end stack serves the later extension. The interior was not inspected in 2002.

The gatepiers are square-section ashlar with plain pyramidal caps, set within whitewashed pal stones. Boundary walls are of rubble construction with gablet coping, and show later repairs.

According to historical accounts, the North and South Lodges to Oxenfoord Castle were particularly ornate structures designed to be appreciated by visitors to the castle, whereas the Middle Lodge was plainer and designed to accommodate general traffic.

Statutory address: OXENFOORD POLICIES, MIDDLE LODGE. Reference: Rev J Dickson, CRANSTOUN: A PARISH HISTORY (1907) p135.