55°32′01″N 2°36′55″W / 55.533635°N 2.615170°W / 55.533635; -2.615170

Monteath Mausoleum
the mausoleum in 2018
Monteath Mausoleum is located in Scottish Borders
Monteath Mausoleum
Location within Scottish Borders
General information
Statusat risk - being renovated
TypeMausoleum
Architectural styleNeo-Byzantine
Town or cityAncrum near Jedburgh
CountryUK
Completed1864
Renovated2018
Renovation cost£130,000
ClientSir Thomas Monteath Douglas
Ownerunknown
Height
RoofDomed with glass star windows
Design and construction
Architecture firmPeddie & Kinnear

The Monteath Mausoleum is a large landmark in the Scottish Borders near the village of Ancrum. The listed building can be seen from the A68 road just north of Jedburgh. It was built in 1864 and renovated in 2018.

History

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General Sir Thomas Monteath Douglas commissioned this large mausoleum which was built on the hill named Gersit Law to the north of Jedburgh near Ancrum. The land belonged to his son-in-law Sir William Monteath Scott[1] and overlooks the site of the Battle of Ancrum Moor.

The mausoleum was designed by the Edinburgh architects Peddie & Kinnear.[2] The building is dated 1864 which is four years before Douglas died.[3] They included a domed roof design similar to Dundas House in Edinburgh that was used by the Bank of Scotland. That later design also incorporated glass star-shaped roof lights.[4]

In 2014 a group was supported to organise a renovation of the building which began in 2018.[5] The renovation was completed in July 2019 thanks to grants and a 30 strong group of volunteers. The mausoleum is open to the public and a key to the crypt can be obtained.[6]

Description

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The domed roof of the Monteath Mausoleum

The mausoleum was to be sealed forever hiding the two angels who guard his tomb. The inside is lit by 48 green glass star-shaped lights in the domed roof. Outside two carved lions guard the entrance. one of the is sleeping and the other is awake. The building is constructed from ashlar sandstone.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Work begins to restore a hidden Scottish landmark". Scottish Field. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  2. ^ "Ancrum mausoleum in line for £130,000 makeover". www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  3. ^ "The Monteath Mausoleum | LOTHIAN ESTATES". lothianestates.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Monteath Douglas Mausoleum - Mausolea & Monuments Trust". www.mmtrust.org.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Friends of the Monteath Mausoleum". friendsofthemonteathmausoleum.org.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
  6. ^ "£128,000 revamp of Victorian mausoleum near Ancrum now complete". www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk. Retrieved 4 May 2020.