Grotto, Brunswickhill, Abbotsford Road, Galashiels

Andrew G Heiton Jr, 1884. 2-storey, 4-bay, large square-plan piended roofed classical Italianate villa with 3-storey, 2-bay ballustaded tower to SE angle and rectangular-plan arched cast-iron conservatory with fine glazing detail to S. Later 20th century single storey garage to W. Central corniced, pillastered doorpiece with cast-iron balustrade detail, side lights and flanking niches to symmetrical principal (N) elevation (that to the right glazed). Advanced bipartite and tripartite corniced windows with cast-iron balustrade detail; stone consoled balcony and parapet balustrade to tower with curved stair tower; timber bracketed overhanging eaves; tripartite timber box dormer to S; tripartite mullioned and transomed stair window. Stugged coursed ashlar; v-channelled rusticated quoins. Base course; ground, first and second floor moulded cill courses; band course at eaves. Advanced smooth stone window consoled architraves, pedimented windows to 2nd floor of tower.

Timber sash and case windows; timber panelled doors, 2-leaf timber panelled doors to main entrance. Piended low pitch graduated slate roofs, flat lead section; corniced rectangular ashlar stacks with clays cans; square section cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: fine late 19th century classical decorative scheme survives throughout with good Jacobean styled ceilings to principal rooms. Entrance lobby with mosaic floor and painted equestrian frieze; decorative cast-iron radiator cover; original painted decorative scheme to drawing room; timber panelled stair; service stair to nursery wing; timber balustrade to viewing platform in tower billiard room and turned timber stair with basin giving roof access.

CONSERVATORY: rectangular plan barrel-vaulted cast-iron conservatory to S elevation with coursed stone base plinth; arched glazing pattern; clerestoried lantern; acroterion finial at apex. Plain glazed screen timber screen to house.

GROTTO: Presumed contemporary to house, built into raised ground sited to SW of house. 11-bay symmetrical tufa-stone clad crenellated retaining wall with timber glazed two-leaf door and decorative fan light to raised centre bay, flanking niches, rusticated piers. Glazed timber decagon cupola with lantern and finial; Tufa-stone pilasters to interior with niches. Manufacturers plaque reads: James Boyd and sons. Horticultural Builders and Heating Engineers, Glasgow and London.

GAME STORE: sited S of Grotto. Small square-plan tufa-stone clad building with bipartite round headed windows; base and string courses; lead roof with finial. Later painted brick extensions and timber bird pens.

GATEPIERS AND GATES: square rusticated corniced gatepiers with later thistle finials; low coursed stone capped walls; late 20th century railings and gates.

Late 20th century outdoor steps leading to garden.