Rosslyn Castle Roslin, Scotland

Text courtesy of Historic England. © Crown Copyright, reprinted under the Open Government License.

This is a late 15th century castle with later additions and alterations. It is set around a courtyard and comprises the ruinous remains of late 15th century gatehouse and 16th century gateway to the north range; the remains of a late 15th century west range and rectangular plan tower; the east curtain wall and east range (built 1597) and modified and embellished in 1622; a later 15th century bridge, which was largely reconstructed in 1597 with substantial later repairs. The east range only is listed, the remaining elements designated as a scheduled monument (see separate designation record). East Range: West (courtyard entrance) elevation: this elevation is a 2 storey, irregular 5 bay building with a single storey, single bay of the former hall to the outer right (southern end). The ruinous hall walls adjoin the building to the south and the curtain wall adjoins the building to the north. The range has moulded base and eaves courses, timber sash and case windows with a crowstepped gable to on the north end and a graded grey slate roof. The roof has ashlar chimneys at the either end and an additional set near the southern end. There is a delicately carved panel initialed "SWS" and dated 1622 to above the principal doorway with another carved niche above this. There is a small square window with carvings to the left of the doorway. A corbelled turnpike stairtower projects out at the northern end of the range; it has a carved leaded glass window between floors and other leaded glass window beneath the eaves. In the centre of the range is a large ornamental architraved window at ground floor level; above this an ornamental, triangular gabled 1st floor window which breaks the eaves; there is a heraldic device set above this window. East elevation: this 5 bay elevation varies between 4 and 5 storeys with a projecting tower to the outer left. South elevation: this elevation has a crowstepped gable with another lower gable adjoining below. There is a blocked roll-moulded doorway and 2 single windows at ground floor level with another blocked opening above. Interior: the lower three floors are vaulted and connected to the upper levels by a scale and platt stair. There is timber panelling and a highly decorative coffered plaster ceiling (dated 1623) in the north room at courtyard level. There is another timber panelled room above this. There is a fine moulded and carved fireplace on the west wall of the roofless former hall at the south end of the range. In accordance with Section 1 (4A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 the following are excluded from the listing: scheduled monument SM1208 (see separate designation record)