Carriden House

Carriden House is a mansion in the Scottish town of Bo'ness in Falkirk unitary authority. In 1980 the building in the Scottish lists of monuments was first included in the category B. The be upgraded to the highest category A was 2006. Moreover, it forms with various outbuildings, a monument ensemble of category B.

History

John Hamilton of Lettrick let Carriden House in 1602 built as a tower house. There is evidence to suggest that a predecessor in this place existed, from which fragments were integrated into the new building. In addition, the building is located near a former Roman fort on the Antonine Wall, so that the base may be permanently settled since the time of the Roman occupation. In the late 17th century, the family acquired Mylne, a well-known family of stonemasons, Carriden House, adding, among others, added the east wing. During the 18th century the property changed hands several times. In 1750, the surrounding gardens was created, with the base tightly packed, thus the former ground floor was converted into a basement.

In 1814, the naval officer George Johnstone Hope acquired the building and bequeathed it to his son, the Admiral James Hope. This is responsible for many significant transformations and set his workers to the nearby settlement plan Muirhouses. In the following centuries the owners changed again several times until the Scottish utilities acquired the property. It was planned to demolish Carriden House to provide needed space for a power plant construction. However, this was never put into action. After the building had stood empty for some time, it was sold and restored in the late 20th century to a private individual.

Description

Carriden House is located east of Bo'ness set in a large plot. Originally it was a tower house with L-shaped floor plan that has been repeatedly remodeled and expanded. The masonry of the two-to three-story building consists of rubble stone. The south-facing front with its cantilevered elements and crowd watchtowers is a work of Alexander Mylnes. The entrance hall is decorated in the Tudor style. It is accessible via a wide porch. In a coat of arms is inserted together with the Year 1863. The roofs are covered with gray slate. A relatively high stone wall fenced the property.