Winton House

http://portal.historic-scotland.gov.uk/designations

Location and Setting

Winton House is situated on the north bank of the Tyne Water, on the north side of the village of Pencaitland and some 13 miles (21km) south-east of Edinburgh. The B6355 forms the northern boundary of the site whilst the A6093 passes through the village of Pencaitland and, with the Tyne Water, forms the southern boundary of the policies. The surrounding landscape is relatively flat agricultural land with some shelterbelts of mixed woodland. Views to the Lammermuir and Pentland Hills in the south can be gained on a clear day from the Castle. The boundary woodlands of the designed landscape are of some significance in the local scenery although they themselves prevent further views into the policy areas.

Winton House stands above the Tyne Water amid some 463 acres (188ha) of designed landscape which extends north to the B6355, south to the woodland beyond the Tyne Water, west to Winton West Mains and east to the A6093 at the village of Pencaitland. Documentary map evidence of the designed landscape is provided by General Roy's map of c.1750, the 1st edition OS map of 1863 and the 2nd edition OS map of c.1900 which indicate that the policy area was extended after 1750 and was established in its present form by 1863.

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

Winton House, listed category A and formerly known as Winton Castle, is a 17th century Renaissance mansion house, with decorative stone chimneys and early 19th century castellated additions. It was built 1620-34 to the designs of William Wallace. Further additions were made to the building between 1797- 1805 by John Paterson. The North Lodge, statutorily listed, is a 19th century Gothic Gate Lodge with wrought-iron gates. The Gates at both Lodges are statutorily listed and thought to be 17th century. Winton Laundry, listed category C, is a 20th century building designed by Gilbert F.M. Ogilvy, the present owner's father. The 1620 building was never completed; part was demolished for the later additions and it appears to have been first occupied by Lord and Lady Ruthven after 1846. Lord Ruthven died in 1853.

Parkland

The parkland at Winton extends to the east and west of the house between the B6355 and the Tyne Water. One driveway sweeps through the parkland from the North Lodge whilst another enters from the A6093 by the South Lodge and along 'Washinghouse Brae' on the south side of the east park on its approach to the house.

The OS Gazetteer of 1885 and other contemporary reports record 'a large and finely wooded park' at Winton. The west park was ploughed during World War II around the old trees, and some of these trees have not been replaced when they died of old age. Some had become too large, too close to the house. The east park has been ploughed since the 1950s, when its few old standard hawthorn trees were removed. The 'Washinghouse Brae' to the south of it has still a very few of the original trees, but most have been felled and the land replanted, including an avenue of Canadian maple.

Part of the parkland by the South Lodge has been developed for four private houses.

Woodland

Most of the woods on the estate were planted by Colonel John Hamilton of Pencaitland (1751-1804), who also developed the farms and coalmines and reconstructed Winton House. Some further planting has been done by each successive owner since then. Finally most of the old woods have been felled and replanted since about 1950, in a continuing programme now managed under an officially approved scheme by Scottish Woodland Owners (Commercial) Ltd. The woodlands extend around the perimeter of the site and form an almost total enclosure to the parkland.

The Gardens

The gardens include the terraced gardens, which lie to the south of the house, and the lawns to the east and west of the house, between it and the kitchen garden.

Fine copper beeches and other specimen trees stand on the lawn next to the house including some yews which remain around the area on the east side of the house indicated as a 'Bowling Green' on the 1st edition OS map. The lawn to the west of the house was reclaimed from the park between 1863 and c.1900 and is now enclosed by an ornamental shrub border.

The terraced gardens to the south of the house were improved and laid out by Lady Ruthven between 1846 and 1885. Shrubs are grown in borders along the bases of each terrace. A gate at the end of the footpath along the terrace walk was designed by Mr Gilbert Ogilvie and includes a peacock, part of the Bloxholm crest, in its wrought- iron frame. The lowest of the three terraces is enclosed by a beech hedge which separates the garden from the haughlands along the north side of the Tyne Water. The semi-circular hedge was planted as part of the redesign of the garden by Sir David's parents after they inherited the property in 1920. The lowest terrace is now largely lawn with an interesting collection of ornamental shrubs and trees, some of which are clipped.

Walled Garden

The walled garden is situated to the north of the house. The main part of the garden was established in its present form by 1863 but it is unclear if it was built as part of the improvements carried out by Colonel Hamilton between 1800- 1804 or Lady Ruthven between 1846 and the date of the survey. It is walled on three sides, the south side being enclosed by a holly hedge, but it is thought a fourth wall did exist at one time as foundations have been traced below the hedge line. The garden was laid out as a kitchen garden until World War II when the area, including a rock garden at the west end, was ploughed. In c.1958 it was run as a market garden for a short while. An old greenhouse blew down in the winter of 1960-61. The garden is presently leased for the commercial production of herbs. Between 1863 and c.1900 an additional area of kitchen garden was enclosed on the north side. This area is presently used as allotments for the estate cottages.