Knockomie House

Knockomie House is an asymmetrical, two-story, twenty-three-bay Arts and Crafts house constructed in 1914 by W.H. Woodroffe of London. It abuts and is internally linked to an earlier, circa early 19th century, single-story and attic, three-bay villa situated at its southern gable. The 1914 house features harled walls with tooled and polished ashlar dressings and margins, some in contrasting red ashlar. An off-center entrance is positioned in the recessed central bay, featuring a recessed doorway beneath a simple canopy with a tripartite window to the left, all united by a continuous corniced lintel/band course composed of alternating grey and red ashlar squares. A datestone is centered above the doorway, with a flat-roofed dormer positioned above. Advanced outer bays are characterized by wide, three-light windows on both the ground and first floors, with the first-floor windows arched under contrasting ashlar relieving arches. The north elevation incorporates a projecting, ground-floor canted window designed to illuminate the drawing room. Tall wallhead stacks are situated on the inner slope of projecting wings flanking the central bay, topped with slate roofs.

The earlier villa at the south gable has a central entrance flanked by shallow, round-headed niches, fronted by a circa 1970 sun parlor/porch with a piended, slated roof and wide chamfered corners. Circa 1914 flat-roofed dormers are located in the outer bays, each with a diminutive, swept center light. Paired ridge stacks and a piended slate roof with deep, soffited eaves complete the villa’s exterior. Multi-pane glazing is present throughout the entire building.

The interior of the 1914 portion includes a panelled entrance hall and staircase. A wooden staircase features turned balusters and a panelled dado. The drawing room contains a white-painted panelled inglenook and a plain, white marble chimney piece, possibly incorporating re-used elements. The library showcases cherrywood panelling dating from the 1920s, originally a parlor from the early 19th century cottage. The original, early 19th century staircase with cast-iron balusters remains in the early portion of the house.

Historical records indicate that Lord Cockburn visited Knockomie for breakfast in April 1845, describing it as "a most excellent house in the cottage style." The datestone on the 1914 house is initialed "F," representing William Fraser of Balnaferry, Forres, who extended the earlier villa. The property operated as a hotel from 1987. A simple early baluster shaft sundial is located within the garden. The gate lodge and steading are not included within the listing’s scope.