Airdrie House (4)
It's even plainer from the back!
The Statistical Account says of Airdrie that: "in King David II's reign it belonged to Dundemore of that ilk. Afterwards it came to the Lumsdaines by marriage, they had it in 1466 and were therefore the builders of the original house here. The Lumsdens had it until at least the end of the 16th century, at which time it was purchased by Sir John Preston of Pennycuik. President of the Session in King James VI's time."
Sir John Preston, along with many other gentlemen in this neighbourhood, seems to have been a supporter of King Charles I and to have suffered penalties in consequence. Within a month of Charles' execution in 1649, the kirk-session records show that Lord Balcomie, Sir John Oreston of Airdrie, Lawrence Cunningham of Barns, John Lindesay of Wormistone and a number of others, had to appear before the congregation to acknowledge publicly their sinful engagement, and sign the covenant.
During the 17th century Airdrie became the property of General Anstruther, who greatly enlarged the house, being responsible for building the (now demolished) wings, of which one was "a large and lofty hall, with figures in niches, pictures on the walls, many chandeliers and a splendid chimney-piece of white marble, which he brought workmen from Italy to execute."
After the General's death, the estate was bought by Methven Erskine Esq. afterwards Earl of Kellie, who died here in 1830. Upon his death Sir David Erskine, Bart. succeeded as heir of entail. He took down the wings built by General Anstruther and removed the fine chimney-piece to his own house at Cambo.
Airdrie House (4)
It's even plainer from the back!
The Statistical Account says of Airdrie that: "in King David II's reign it belonged to Dundemore of that ilk. Afterwards it came to the Lumsdaines by marriage, they had it in 1466 and were therefore the builders of the original house here. The Lumsdens had it until at least the end of the 16th century, at which time it was purchased by Sir John Preston of Pennycuik. President of the Session in King James VI's time."
Sir John Preston, along with many other gentlemen in this neighbourhood, seems to have been a supporter of King Charles I and to have suffered penalties in consequence. Within a month of Charles' execution in 1649, the kirk-session records show that Lord Balcomie, Sir John Oreston of Airdrie, Lawrence Cunningham of Barns, John Lindesay of Wormistone and a number of others, had to appear before the congregation to acknowledge publicly their sinful engagement, and sign the covenant.
During the 17th century Airdrie became the property of General Anstruther, who greatly enlarged the house, being responsible for building the (now demolished) wings, of which one was "a large and lofty hall, with figures in niches, pictures on the walls, many chandeliers and a splendid chimney-piece of white marble, which he brought workmen from Italy to execute."
After the General's death, the estate was bought by Methven Erskine Esq. afterwards Earl of Kellie, who died here in 1830. Upon his death Sir David Erskine, Bart. succeeded as heir of entail. He took down the wings built by General Anstruther and removed the fine chimney-piece to his own house at Cambo.