Archway, Woodhouselee Policies

The Archway at Woodhouselee Policies is a garden folly built in the earlier to mid-19th century, designed to resemble a ruin. It features a near-symmetrical design with a central stilted arch that has voussoirs but no superstructure, flanked by wing walls. The structure is made of random rubble masonry and incorporates sculptured stones from various dates and sources, along with a later wrought-iron gate adorned with thistle details.

On the northeast elevation, which faces a modern bungalow, there are sculptured stones to the left of the archway. These include a square armorial panel from Woodhouselee, dated 1657, displaying the (worn) motto of Sir William Purves of Abbeyhill: "VNTO YE RICHTIOVS THERE/ ARISETH LIGHT IN DARKNESS." Above this, there is a triangular pediment at the wallhead featuring a heraldic device and the inscription "BEATVS VIR QVI SPERAT IN DNO, 1450," which translates to 'blessed are they that trust in the lord.' To the right, there are two steeply-pitched triangular pediments above windows. The left pediment bears an armorial and the inscription "AP ES," referring to Park of Fulfordlies and his wife. The right pediment displays the initials "RN and MN," representing Robert and Margaret Napier of Wrichtshouses, along with the inscription "PATRIAE ET POSTERIS, 1513." Near the arch jamb, there is a narrow arched niche containing two worn sculptured stones of unknown provenance: a figurative stone above, possibly depicting the Virgin and Child, and below it, a much-worn Greek inscription that reads "to God alone the glory."

On the southeast elevation, to the left of the archway, there is a single steep-pitched triangular pediment with a bold relief armorial and the initials "AMA." Additionally, there are two semi-circular pediments to the left, arranged back-to-front, with a skewputt sundial at the base of the lower left pediment. To the right, the wall is plain and constructed of rubble.