Monteath Mausoleum

55°32′01″N 2°36′55″W

Monteath Mausoleum
the mausoleum in 2018
Location within Scottish Borders
General information
Status	at risk - being renovated
Type	Mausoleum
Architectural style	Neo-Byzantine
Town or city	Ancrum near Jedburgh
Country	UK
Completed	1864
Renovated	2018
Renovation cost	£130,000
Client	Sir Thomas Monteath Douglas
Owner	unknown
Height
Roof	Domed with glass star windows
Design and construction
Architecture firm	Peddie & 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

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

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

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. "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.