Ellemhaugh, Whitchester Policies, Longformacus

Single storey with attic, 3-bay house with bowed stair tower centred at rear; single storey, 4-bay ancillary structure (former hen house, byre and stable) adjoined to left; single storey, 2-bay wing (former smithy) beyond. Harl-pointed rubble (predominantly sandstone) to house; some rendered pointing at upper floor; droved and stugged sandstone dressings; harled elevation to E. Rubble quoins at ground; sandstone margins; tooled long and short sandstone surrounds to stair opening; sandstone mullions to bipartites; projecting cills. Harl pointed rubble to adjoining ancillary structure and smithy. Empty and derelict 1997. Included in Buildings at Risk Bulletin, May 1998. Despite its current state of disrepair, this rubble complex retains some interesting features, the most obvious being its bowed stair tower. Although the embossed panel above the door is dated 1899 (the initials A.S and I.F.L standing for Andrew Smith and his wife Ida Frances Landale, of the nearby Cranshaws and Whitchester estates), the lower half of the house and its adjoining outbuildings appear to date from the late 18th, early 19th century. It is therefore assumed that the panel refers to the raising of the house to include an attic and the creation of its bipartite openings. Depicted in its present state in Andrew Smith's book of plans (see above) it is thought that the book's draughtsman and local architect, George Fortune, may have been responsible for these alterations. Set to the S of the Whiteadder Water, and contained within the boundaries of Whitchester's designed landscape, Ellemhaugh remains a significant landmark within its surroundings. (Historic Scotland)

November 1997: Historic Scotland reports that the smithy has been disused for many years. It stands derelict in a remote spot on the south bank of the Whiteadder Water and an access bridges was refused permission several years ago. July 1998: The owner's agents report that some repair works to the roof are planned. The ruinous end portion has been demolished and the building sealed and ventilated. August 2001: The Cockburn Conservation Trust reports that the roof is in poor repair, although the building appears structurally sound.

May 2009: External inspection reveals that the building is in a better state of repair since the last visit by SCT, though the condition remains poor.

September 2011: Limited inspection possible, but does not appear to have had significant change since the last visit.