Archway, Woodhouselee Policies

Archway, earlier-mid 19th century. Near symmetrical, garden folly, designed as ruin, with central stilted arch (voussoirs only, no superstructure), wing walls to either side. Random rubble masonry, with sculptured stones of various dates and sources, later wrought-iron gate with thistle details.

N ELEVATION: (facing modern bungalow) sculptured stones set to left of archway: square armorial panel, from Woodhouselee, dated 1657, with the (worn) motto of Sir William Purves of Abbeyhill, "VNTO YE RICHTIOVS THERE/ ARISETH LIGHT IN DARKNESS" (NMRS photograph shows panel less worn); triangular pediment at wallhead, with heraldic device, inscribed "BEATVS VIR QVI SPERAT IN DNO, 1450" ('blessed are they that trust in the lord' see notes). To right; 2 steeply-pitched triangular pediments above windows, that to left with armorial and "AP ES" inscription (for Park of Fulfordlies and his wife); that to the right with initials "RN and MN (for Robert and Margaret Napier of Wrichtshouses), inscription "PATRIAE ET POSTERIS, 1513" (see notes). Close to arch jamb, a narrow arched niche with 2 sculptured stones inset (much worn, provenance unknown): figurative above, possibly Virgin and Child (date uncertain); below a Greek inscription, much worn ("to God alone the glory").

S ELEVATION: to left of archway: single steep-pitched triangular pediment with bold relief armorial and inscribed with initials "AMA"; 2 semi-circular pediments to left, set back-to-front; lower left at base skewputt sundial. To right: plain rubble wall.