Hospitalfield House
Sir Walter Scott’s Monkbarns
Hospitalfield House
Hospitalfield was originally a plague and leprosy hospice, founded as the Hospital of St. John in the mid-1200s. The present building may contain fragments of the original building (just to the left of the front door) but what we see today dates from the mid-1800s. Sir Walter Scott’s fictional "Monkbarns" from "The Antiquary" was based upon the early nineteenth century Hospitalfield House.
Patrick Allan and Elizabeth Fraser
In 1843 Patrick Allan married the widowed heiress to the Hospitalfield estate, Elizabeth Fraser. He was the son of a weaving merchant in Arbroath. After initially embarking on a commercial career he changed to studying art in Edinburgh and then on the Continent. On their marriage he changed his name to Patrick Allan-Fraser. He embarked on a programme of estate management which quickly restored the family fortunes.
Estate improvements
Between 1850 and 1857 he extended and remodelled the building using stone from his own quarry at Drumyellow. He converted an eighteenth century barn into a gallery, added a large wing and tied the whole composition together with a five storey bartizan stair tower. The building is full of interesting architectural motifs and high quality stone carvings. There are crenellated parapets, oriel windows and craw step gables. The house is an architectural extravaganza.
Arts and Crafts influence
Allan-Fraser was a firm advocate of the Arts and Crafts movement and this is reflected in the building, inside and outside. Allan-Fraser was a visionary man who saw his house as a centre of inspiration and encouragement of the arts. He believed in encouraging and enlightening future young artists and musicians. He had a Gallery built which still houses a large collection of paintings, Victorian sculpture and fine wood-carvings to act as inspiration. He set up the Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust to give support and encouragement to young artists
The interior
The interior is dazzling. The house has a hammer-beam roof, Romanesque dado arcading and woodcarving of international importance. It also houses an important painting and sculpture collection. Hospitalfield House is a "must see".
© Angus Council 1998 - 2009