Grotto And Ice-House, Newbattle Abbey

Late 18th - early 19th century ice-house with grotto incoporating later 17th century archway to grotto. Cup and dome brick lined ice-house built into bank; roofless grotto at entrance, accessed by later timber and parallel girder footbridge over the River South Esk. Sandstone rubble apart from principal grotto elevation. Chamfered rusticated segmental arch to grotto, with imposts; fluted keystone; flanking fluted pilasters supporting architrave with guttae. Corniced frieze with sculptured stones bearing Lothian sun emblem, initials, unicorn, boar and Maltese cross. Surmounting floral carved bases of the capping urns remain to the right and left. Open area with harled rubble to 3 sides including domed wall with central doorway to ice-house, raised 1 metre from the ground. Narrow passage lined with handmade brick leads to deep circular ice-house.