History of English Country Houses

Evolution of the British Country House

Scottish Baronial Architecture

A distinctive feature of Scotland's contribution to British architecture is the fact that Scotland continued to build castles well into the seventeenth century. This fortified style of architecture is exemplified by the use of tall, rounded turrets and high, strong walls, featured in Scottish Baronial houses and mansions.

This centuries old traditional still continued into Victorian times, with the architect David Bryce who designed and built Cringletie House in 1861. Typical features include small protruding towers, both round and square, at the corners of the top floor, crow-stepped gables, and canted bays (which were his own design.) In many designs, there is a large unifying tower, often over the entrance.