The Parsonage, Lamington

The Parsonage, Lamington

This is a 2-storey house with its first floor breaking the eaves, designed in a 3-bay composition that extends to the rear (north) to form a large gabled L-plan villa. Built around 1860, it was originally constructed as the parsonage for Trinity Chapel in Lamington village and served as a manse for the Trinity Chapel.

The building is constructed from well-tooled whinstone rubble with droved red ashlar sandstone quoins and dressings featuring chamfered arrises. It is situated in large garden grounds slightly to the east of Lamington village.

The principal elevation displays fine architectural detailing. The entrance is marked by a gabled stone open porch inscribed with 'ABC' (the initials of Anabella Baillie Cochrane), which contains round-headed windows to the side. Stone mullioned windows with angled stone hoodmould lintels dominate the front. The roof features alternating courses of plain and fishtail slates on timber overhanging bracketed eaves, with squared, corniced stone ridge stacks topped with decorative clay cans.

Later additions include a canted bay window of late 19th century date on the west elevation and a stone and timber conservatory of later 20th century date, also to the west.

The windows throughout are mostly fitted with 8- and 12-pane glazing patterns in timber sash and case windows, though some panes have been replaced with plate glass.

The interior retains a good original decorative scheme. Principal rooms feature decorative cornicing, timber shutters, and panelled woodwork with tall skirtings. Plain timber balustrades, 5-panel timber doors, and timber fireplaces with tiled or cast iron inserts are present in most rooms. A secondary service stair serves the rear section.

The Parsonage was built as part of Alexander Baillie Cochrane's planned estate village development. Cochrane inherited the Baillie family estate of Lamington in 1838 and began rebuilding it from 1844 following his marriage to Anabella Drummond. He created a new village to the northeast of Lamington House, with buildings dating from the 1840s to the 1870s. The main road was redirected to the northwest between two gate lodges to afford privacy to the house and estate. The architect of the village is unknown, though William Spence may have been involved in some buildings. A sketch by Rev E Kershaw dated 1864 shows the entrance elevation as it existed at that time. The 'ABC' inscription on the porch stone refers to Anabella Baillie Cochrane, wife of the first Lord Lamington, who oversaw the building of the planned estate village and the Trinity Chapel.

During the 20th century, the building was used as the Opportunity Holiday House before being converted to residential care use in 1995, at which point a security gate was installed. It currently provides residential and respite care for children and young adults with autism. A separate office building of later 20th century date stands in the grounds to the north.