South Lodge, Glencorse House

South Lodge, Glencorse House

South Lodge is a two-storey classical country house built in 1812 and remodelled by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson around 1892. It comprises a two-storey, three-bay central block with two lower single-bay wings, constructed in sandstone ashlar with blocking and sill courses, an eaves cornice, and parapeted and pedimented detailing.

The main south elevation features an advanced central block with angle pilasters. At ground level, an advanced central Tuscan doorway has a plain lintel and banded cornice, with a heavy panelled door flanked by narrow lights and topped by a large umbrella fanlight with radial glazing. Recessed tripartite windows flank the doorway, each with a segmented arched panel above its lintel. The first floor has three single windows, with the middle one slightly advanced. A stepped parapet crowns the central block. The left and right returns each contain a single window at ground level with sill band and a window above. The side wings are two-storey structures, each with an advanced centre window to both storeys and a small rectangular pediment to the centre. The left wing has a window to its upper left return and a parapeted entrance porch to the ground floor with a door in the left return. The right wing has windows to its right return with symmetrical fenestration to the rear. The building is fitted with 12-pane timber sash and case windows throughout. The roof is piended and platformed slate with a small rooflight to the centre and a modern velux rooflight to the front right. Replacement rainwater goods serve the side elevations and returns.

The interior contains interior shutters and cornicing to most rooms, open fireplaces to the principal rooms, and a formal staircase with quarterpieces and three flights featuring a mahogany handrail. The hallway has a decorative plaster ceiling and a Venetian window to the rear.

South Lodge itself is a single-storey, two-bay structure constructed in rubble with coursed ashlar door-surround. It has been extended to the side and rear. The main elevation features a central advanced moulded door-surround with a triangular pediment that incorporates an earlier heraldic carved stone panel. Projecting timber bay windows flank either side with paired timber supports below. A central chimney stack with terracotta cans rises above, and timber blocked overhanging eaves project from the roof line. Most windows have been replaced with timber casements featuring single panes with lattice pattern. The main building and extension are covered with piended grey slate roofing.

The boundary walls are constructed in rubble with semi-circular coping. Squared ashlar gatepiers with flat square caps support black wrought-iron gates with gold detailing to finials and centre.

Historical Context

King James III granted the barony of Glencorse to the Abernethy family in 1464. The title passed to the Bothwell family in 1610, who owned the land until 1809. Family crests associated with the Bothwell family can be seen at the adjacent Old Glencorse Kirk, and one such crest is incorporated into the doorway at the lodge of Glencorse House. The stone bearing this heraldic panel is said to have come from the old family house that previously stood on the site of the present Glencorse House. The main house was built for the Inglis family, whose estate included Loganbank and Kirklands. Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, who undertook similar work at the nearby Bush House, remodelled the house circa 1892. In 1973, following the death of Sir Maxwell McKenzie-Inglis (Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian), much of the estate was sold. The estate originally included a stable block, now known as Gillieknowe (listed separately), and additional lodges, now privately owned. The area separating Glencorse House and Loganbank was celebrated by Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote: "If my spirit returns to the earth, it will be found wandering through the Glencorse woods or sitting on the old bridge at Glencorse Kirk, the finest spot on earth." The timber bridge no longer survives, though the adjacent Kirk remains.