Mansfield, Ancaster Square, Callander

Mansfield, Ancaster Square, Callander

Reputed to date originally from the 17th century, this house as it stands appears predominantly 18th century with considerable later alterations creating its distinctive rambling appearance. The core structure comprises a 2-storey and attic, 3-bay house with a 2-storey single bay wing adjoined to the west and a long single storey wing adjoined to the east. Various extensions dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries are visible to the rear. The property has an interesting multi-phase history, good setting and significant ancillary structures.

In the early 20th century, the house was given mock late 17th century features. The main door received a chamfered and moulded doorpiece surmounted by a moulded stone canopy supported on shaped brackets. A complementary pair of canted mullioned and transomed windows flanking the door were added. The interior continues this mock 17th century theme, with the main door opening into a low, large oak panelled living hall. The hall was originally probably only slightly wider than the door itself.

Apart from these ground floor features, the principal south elevation resembles a conventional 18th or 19th century house with three windows at first floor arranged symmetrically close to the eaves. The single bay addition to the west was probably added in the earlier to mid 19th century and was extended to the rear in the later 19th century, forming an L-plan. A canted window at ground and first floor sits close to the corner of the west gable end of the single bay addition. A modern sympathetic conservatory is positioned in the re-entrant angle. Access to the single storey wing running to the east is gained from the living hall. It comprises a large low room completely refurbished in the 20th century.

A single storey building runs parallel behind the principal single storey wing to the rear, possibly a former wash-house as evidenced by a tall stack. The second edition Ordnance Survey map shows that a gap originally existed between the L-plan addition and rear single storey wing. This space was filled in the early 20th century by a 2-storey block joined to the main house and L-plan addition.

Throughout the ground floor there are polished mahogany doors with good door furniture. A series of reproduction Adam style fireplaces are present. The single storey wing to the east includes panelling to below dado height and classical cornicing.

The walls are rendered, rendered to the principal elevation and painted to the rear. The oak 2-leaf outer door has an oak panelled and upper multi-paned inner door. Timber sash and case multi-paned windows are throughout, with casement leaded lights to the canted windows to the principal elevation. Exposed sandstone appears in the mullions, transoms and doorpiece including canopy. Painted stone margins border windows to the principal elevation and side west elevation. Pitched grey slate roofs with various coped gable apex and ridge stacks and clay cans are present.

A small single storey and attic outbuilding set close to the west elevation of the house has been converted to a picturesque dovecot, probably in the early 20th century. An exterior stair to the east gable gives access, with a moulded stone handrail with ball finials. A timber boarded attic door set in the gable has a flight hole and an alighting ledge giving access to the loft. Ground access is from a timber panelled door to the south elevation. The ground interior is timber lined with a timber mantelpiece and hob grate. Hooks hang from the ceiling. A timber booth, used as a dark room to develop photographs in the early 20th century according to the current owner, is also present. An inserted window with diamond paned leaded lights faces north into the garden. The dovecot has a pitched grey slate roof.

A raised rubble walkway runs west from the dovecot to the Bridge Street boundary wall. Rubble piers with conical finials flank a series of steps which rise up to a moulded stone door surround with a timber boarded door giving access to Bridge Street. Pre-dating the 20th century as indicated by historical maps, this was the original carriage entrance to Mansfield with a drive running to the principal entrance. Probably in the early 20th century the carriage entrance was relocated following the demolition of a building in Ancaster Square, with new access created to the northeast of the house.

A rendered gatepier incorporating a pedestrian entrance stands in Ancaster Square.

A high random rubble boundary wall runs the entirety of Bridge Street from 9 Bridge Street to the bridge. 9 Bridge Street (currently unlisted, 2004) was formerly in the possession of Mansfield and served as the gardener's house. A rubble boundary wall running along the raised walkway extends from the Bridge Street wall to the dovecot, creating an enclosed garden to the west of the house, probably historically used as a kitchen garden. A lean-to greenhouse stands to the west garden against a high rubble boundary wall running north the entirety of the house and garden. An extensive lawned area with mature trees slopes away from the house south to the banks of the River Teith. A rubble boundary wall runs to the east.