Historic Scottish Property by William & Robert Adam in The Borders
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Mellerstain House, near Kelso, Scottish Borders
1725-78
William Adam; Robert Adam
Stately home set within 80 hectares of parkland
Home of the 13th Earl of Haddington
photos © Adrian Welch
The east and west wings were completed first, by architect William Adam. They were built for George Baillie and Lady Grisel Baillie.
When Lady Grisel Baillie died, a son of the Earl of Haddington inherited Mellerstain - George Hamilton. He commissioned Robert Adam to design and build the central part of the property. This was forty five eyars after his father William had built the wings. The intricate plasterwork interior is a very good example of Robert Adam's (eponymous) style, using Greek motifs and unusual combinations of colours.
Entry on the north side is quite forbidding, softened slightly by a water feature set within a circular piece of grass. However the south facade is a delight with carefully controlled level changes flowing down to the lake, with a folly on the horizon symmetrical to the house.
photos © Adrian Welch
The gardens were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield around 1910 : Italianate formal terraced garden on the south side and more natural parkland down to and around the lake.
William Adam
Robert Adam
Historic Scottish Houses
Key Scottish Houses by Robert Adam, architect:
Hopetoun House
Dalquharran Castle
Mavisbank House
Scottish Buildings
Historic Scottish Borders house : Traquair
World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe
Comments / photos for the Mellerstain House Scotland Architecture page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk
Mellerstain House Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt
Website: www.mellerstain.com
Buildings by this architect:
Register House
Charlotte Square
Old College
8 Queen St
Trades Hall Glasgow
Airthrey Castle
Key Building Links:
Scottish Parliament
Architecture Studios
Church Buildings
New Houses
Scottish Architects
Scottish Architecture