Calder House, principally from 16th century
Seat of the Sandilands, later Lords Torphichen, since 1350. A
1590s drawing of it by Timothy Pont implies one of the great Renaissance
houses of Scotland; an enormously long slab with a fanciful skyline
of chimneys, towers and cupolas. A tower, with thicker walls,
is embedded at the heel of the house behind the two-storey semicircular
entrance. The east wing is typically mid-l6th-century in plan.
In the early 17th century, the north wing was extended by a new
stair-tower, with scale-andplatt stair up to the pnncipal floors,
a turnpike, corbelled out on its west side, up to a balustraded
rooftop viewing platform. In the later 17th century, the north
wing was extended again, in the style of Alexander McGill, immuring
that balustraded platform at roof level, ending in a handsome
four-storey quoined gable with round oculi. A comparable gable
added to the south east. In c.1820, a circular two-storey Doric-porched
entrance was added in the principal angle like the splayed entrance
to Glamis and to Minto House. The former hall, now drawing room,
retains its large Renaissance windows and fine panelling.
It is reputed that here John Knox celebrated his first Reformed
Communion in Scotland in 1556. Frédéric Chopin stayed
here.
This house is a private residence and, as such, is
not open to the public.
Please respect the privacy of the family....
