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40
Magdalene Bridge. The ground is almost level, having a gentle rise westwards.
Approached from the south, it appears bounded in the distance by the green
slopes of the Pentlands, and immediately in the background by the fine old ruin
of Craigmillar, while on the east Arthur's Seat towers up in majestic outline. It
is thus, in some measure, protected on all sides, save the south, where the plain is
open and extensive, and possesses a quietness and seclusion, amid the fine old
trees that adorn the park, which inspires the visitor with a corresponding feeling
of placidity. The older portion of the house, including the tower, was built —
according to the MS. notes — by Sir John. It is possible, at the same time, that it
had been commenced by his father. Be this as it may, it bears the date 163G,
and has the initials " S. F. W. D. J. S." [Sir Francis Wauchoj>e and Dame Jean
Sandilands,] on one of the windows to the south, and " S. J. W. D. A. H." [Sir
John Wauchope and Dame Anna Hamilton] on another. The style of building
is precisely that which prevailed at the period — strength and elegance being com-
bined. The tower is arched both below and above, and has a battlement, which
could be used as a means of defence — and from which there is an excellent view
of the surrounding country, particularly of the winding firth, and the lands beyond.
The walls of the other apartments are equally characteristic of the age, being
massive and strong. A broad and excellent scale stair — until the recent altera-
tions — led upwards through the tower to the various apartments. The dining-
room, still used as such, on the second floor, is a spacious apartment, lighted from
the south. The ceiling is ornamented by finely executed stucco-work, with devices
of Scottish royalty — in honour of the Restoration of Charles II. — bearing the date
1661. Above the large fire-place there is a portrait of Sir William Wallace,*
painted on canvas, stretched and fixed in panellings on the wall — a fashion which
prevailed in the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century. Of this
picture, very different from the popular representations of the Scottish hero, there
is unfortunately no history. It has been in the house beyond the memory of any
of the family, and is evidently of considerable age and excellence as a painting.
A copy of this portrait appears, with the kind permission of the proprietor, as a
frontispiece to " Wallace and his Times," recently published, where some particulars
are given respecting it. It is the same picture — emanating from the same source (
if not the original — as is preserved at Priory Lodge, Cheltenham, belonging to a
descendant of the Craigie-Wallace family. In the " Wallace Papers " it is said by
the owner to have been presented to his ancestor, Robert Wallace of Holmston,
* It has an inscription intimating it to be the portrait of the great hero.
Magdalene Bridge. The ground is almost level, having a gentle rise westwards.
Approached from the south, it appears bounded in the distance by the green
slopes of the Pentlands, and immediately in the background by the fine old ruin
of Craigmillar, while on the east Arthur's Seat towers up in majestic outline. It
is thus, in some measure, protected on all sides, save the south, where the plain is
open and extensive, and possesses a quietness and seclusion, amid the fine old
trees that adorn the park, which inspires the visitor with a corresponding feeling
of placidity. The older portion of the house, including the tower, was built —
according to the MS. notes — by Sir John. It is possible, at the same time, that it
had been commenced by his father. Be this as it may, it bears the date 163G,
and has the initials " S. F. W. D. J. S." [Sir Francis Wauchoj>e and Dame Jean
Sandilands,] on one of the windows to the south, and " S. J. W. D. A. H." [Sir
John Wauchope and Dame Anna Hamilton] on another. The style of building
is precisely that which prevailed at the period — strength and elegance being com-
bined. The tower is arched both below and above, and has a battlement, which
could be used as a means of defence — and from which there is an excellent view
of the surrounding country, particularly of the winding firth, and the lands beyond.
The walls of the other apartments are equally characteristic of the age, being
massive and strong. A broad and excellent scale stair — until the recent altera-
tions — led upwards through the tower to the various apartments. The dining-
room, still used as such, on the second floor, is a spacious apartment, lighted from
the south. The ceiling is ornamented by finely executed stucco-work, with devices
of Scottish royalty — in honour of the Restoration of Charles II. — bearing the date
1661. Above the large fire-place there is a portrait of Sir William Wallace,*
painted on canvas, stretched and fixed in panellings on the wall — a fashion which
prevailed in the seventeenth and beginning of the eighteenth century. Of this
picture, very different from the popular representations of the Scottish hero, there
is unfortunately no history. It has been in the house beyond the memory of any
of the family, and is evidently of considerable age and excellence as a painting.
A copy of this portrait appears, with the kind permission of the proprietor, as a
frontispiece to " Wallace and his Times," recently published, where some particulars
are given respecting it. It is the same picture — emanating from the same source (
if not the original — as is preserved at Priory Lodge, Cheltenham, belonging to a
descendant of the Craigie-Wallace family. In the " Wallace Papers " it is said by
the owner to have been presented to his ancestor, Robert Wallace of Holmston,
* It has an inscription intimating it to be the portrait of the great hero.
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Histories of Scottish families > History and genealogy of the family of Wauchope of Niddrie-Merschell > (48) Page 40 |
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Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/95384883 |
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Description | A selection of almost 400 printed items relating to the history of Scottish families, mostly dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Includes memoirs, genealogies and clan histories, with a few produced by emigrant families. The earliest family history goes back to AD 916. |
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