Lynburn, Carlops

Lynburn is a later 18th century row of nine bays, originally comprising two cottages. The structure is built of squared and snecked rubble with ashlar dressings. Lynburn itself consists of six bays, with a further three bays to the left raised to create an attic space. Chamfered quoins are visible at the southeast corner angle, and there are ashlar skew stones. A flat-roofed porch addition, painted brick, features a two-leaf timber door. The roof is pierced by a pair of piend-roof dormers. A stone built addition, with a lean-to roof, extends to the rear. To the right of Lynburn is a three-bay, single-storey cottage named Linburn, which has smaller window openings, along with a flat-roofed addition to the rear.

The windows are predominantly timber sash and case windows with 12 panes of glass. The roof is covered with grey slate and has coped ridge and end stacks topped with clay cans. Cast iron rainwater goods are also present.

A grotto is located in the garden at the rear of Lynburn. This structure features an Ionic pilastered doorway with a carved lintel and dentilled cornice; above is an armorial crest surmounted by a carved lion sculpture dated 1823. Slightly curving battlemented screen walls flank the grotto, incorporating round-arched niches and fluted pylons at the outer edges.

Lynburn is prominently situated beside the Carlops Road. Its proportions and the use of traditional materials contribute positively to the historic and architectural character of Carlops. Originally three weavers’ cottages, the attic storey at Lynburn was added in the early 19th century. The distinctive Classical-influenced grotto, located in the garden, enhances the architectural and historic interest.

The grotto was built in 1823 by Charles Wilson, who was then the occupier. Wilson was a plasterer, amateur sculptor, and freemason and the grotto is an unusual and personal piece of work, reflecting the importance of the local stone quarrying industry from Deepsykehead and other quarries nearby. The chamfered quoins to the SE corner may have been added by Mr Wilson as well.

The village of Carlops was founded in 1784 when Robert Brown, the laird of Newhall, initiated a cotton-weaving industry, laying out rows of weavers’ cottages on either side of the main Edinburgh to Biggar road. As the textile industry declined in the late 19th century, the village became a health resort for visitors from Edinburgh. It remains a centre for visitors and walkers exploring the Pentland Hills. The village is characterised by its linear rows of former cotton-weavers’ cottages.