Walled Garden, Rossdhu House

The Walled Garden, Rossdhu House, is a substantial estate house likely begun around 1774 by John Baxter, with contributions from Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. Additions were made in the early 19th century, and further alterations were undertaken by William Leiper and W Hunter McNab in 1910, alongside more modern additions. The building comprises a three-story, six-bay Classical main block, accompanied by two-story, four-bay pavilion wings. The construction utilizes pink and honey-colored sandstone ashlar, accentuated by string courses, architraved windows at the principal floor level, corniced eaves, and a balustraded parapet. A pedimented portico featuring paired giant order Tuscan columns provides a striking entrance.

The east (main) elevation presents a symmetrical two-story, six-bay block with a prominent, pedimented portico at its center. The portico is supported by paired columns on a high ashlar base and features round-headed arches, a swept stair leading to the principal floor entrance, and a tripartite entrance with a Gibbsian surround, panelled double doors, and large fanlight. A Vitruvian scroll band course runs along the facade, and the upper stage displays two symmetrically positioned windows. The ground floor is channelled, with windows symmetrically arranged on each level. Flanking this main block are early 19th-century near-symmetrical pavilion wings, with a pilaster dividing the bays. The bays nearest the main house are topped with a balustraded parapet, while the outer bays have an ashlar parapet. The south pavilion incorporates a bipartite, architraved entrance at ground floor of the inner bay, with a panelled door and blind fanlight, alongside a window to the right.

The west (rear) elevation displays a six-bay harled block with ashlar margins and dressings. A two-bay, pedimented block is slightly advanced at the center, with two windows. One ground-floor window has been enlarged into a door, while windows are symmetrically disposed above. An ashlar transom is located at the principal floor level. Flanking blocks are arranged with windows symmetrically. A modern four-bay wing has been added to the right, seamlessly integrating with the existing east pavilion, with a similar arrangement visible on the north pavilion.

The south elevation, as viewed from the garden, showcases the original block to the outer right, displaying a tripartite arrangement at ground level with a narrow door flanked by windows. A large tripartite window sits above, framed by a moulded architrave. A modern, piend-roofed block extends to the outer left, designed in a sympathetic style.

The north elevation features a tripartite window at ground level, with two openings blind, and a large tripartite window at the upper stage, encased within a moulded architrave. A modern block, mirroring the sympathetic style, is situated to the outer right.

The building is fitted with 12-pane timber sash and case windows. The roof is a grey slate piend and platform style, with broad corniced ridge stacks and decorative square cans topped with crenellated caps.

Internally, the house retains wainscotting and panelled doors in the main hall. A simple cast-iron stair, likely dating from around 1910 and the work of William Leiper and W Hunter McNab, is also present. A “Chinese room,” decorated with 1950s wallpaper, is temporarily subdivided. The drawing room to the north boasts a domed ceiling with decorative plasterwork and cornices, alongside paneling. Delicate plasterwork and a column screen can be found in the south room of the pavilion.

The walled garden, located immediately south of the house, features a small, early 20th-century rose garden enclosed by a rubble wall with ashlar slab coping. The wall rises to an arched entrance on the east side, crowstepped in the northeast corner with a raggle denoting a former gable. An armorial plaque is affixed to the wall. A curved exedra in the west wall is present, with footings of curved seats still extant.