Bulliondale Date Stone

Illus: The Datestone built into the interior of the Outhouse.

SMR 2275 / NS 9073 7203

A short lintel from a window with a chamfered inner margin and backset out margins was reused in the fabric of an outbuilding at Bulliondale near Avonbridge.  It is inscribed “1655.”

Illus: Bulliondale looking south in 1989.

To maintain this symmetry the window above the door on the south front was blank; as was that on the top right on the north side.  The walls are of random rubble with dressed sandstone margins.  The low-pitched slate roof is bordered by plain skews, capped with chimney stacks.  The east gable contains a small garret window (bricked up in 1989), slightly set off to the south.  Centrally above this is a carved stone face.  Such carvings are to be found elsewhere in this part of Avonbridge.

The present farmhouse was built in 1831 and that date can be found on the lintel of the central window on the north side of the building.  This façade, like that on the south, has a central doorway with a window to either side and three windows on the upper floor disposed symmetrically above the voids below.

Illus: Bulliondale looking north.
Illus: Elevations of Bulliondale.
Illus: The top of the East Gable with face-mask and garret window.

Inside, the dwelling conformed to the usual arrangement for this area.  The main door opened onto the foot of the stair with doors to either side.  That on the left entered a large room with a big fireplace on the centre of the gable wall.  That on the right gave access to two rooms, each with a fireplace – a living room and a retiring room.  The large room had two closets and presumably originally functioned as the kitchen/hall.  At a later date a doorway was cut through the south-west corner to provide a passage to the dairy.

A single storey extension on the west of the main dwelling served as a dairy and byre.  Perpendicular to this was a large barn, terraced into the hill slope.

Illus: Plan of the dwelling.
Illus: Bulliondale looking north-west with the outbuildings and barn beyond.
Illus: The Barn looking west.

For many decades Bulliondale was the family home of the Mungals.

The farm buildings were converted into modern residences at the beginning of this century.

Illus: 1860/62 Ordnance Survey Map (National Library of Scotland).

Bibliography

NEWSPAPERS
  • North British Daily Mail 18 January 1851, 2: Scottish Bankrupts: William Gentleman, cattle dealer, residing at Bulliondale, near Avonbridge, present prisoner in the jail of Stirling – to be examined in the Sheriff’s Office, Falkirk, 24th February…
  • Falkirk Herald 7 October 1858, 3: Extensive Sale of Corn Stacks, Milch Cows, & c; and Grass Parks to let, at Bulliondale, on Monday, 18th October.
    • To be sold by public roup, on Monday the 18th day of October, 1858, on the Farm of BULLIONDALE near Avonbridge, belonging to Mr Andrew Mungal, the Whole Crop, Milch Cows, Queys, Calves, Potatoes, and Turnips, & c. on the above Lands, comprising –
      •             27 Stacks of Capital OATS.
      •             1 Acre of TURNIPS.
      •             Half an Acre of POTATOES.
      •             6 First-Class Ayrshire MILCH COWS, four in Calf and two Farrow.
      •             2 Ayrshire QUEYS in Calf.
      •             4 six-quarter-old Ayrshire QUEYS.
      • 6 Ayrshire CALVES.
    • Also, at the same time will be Let for Ploughing, One Ten Acre Field, to be Cropped with Oats or Lint; and Five Grass Parks for next Season’s grazing, varying in size from 4 to 10 Acres, all of which are well Fenced and Watered…
  • Falkirk Herald 12 November 1863, 5: At Bulliondale, on the 5th inst., Mr Andrew Mungall, farmer
    • 1870s- Robert Mungall.
  • West Lothian Courier 26 March 1920, 5: At Bulliondale, Avonbridge. on the 22nd inst., Grace Waugh, widow of the late Robert Mungall, farmer.
  • Falkirk Herald 6 July 1938, 2: At Bulliondale Farm. Avonbridge, on 30th June, 1938. James Mungall. aged 66, second son of the late Robert Mungal.
  • Falkirk Herald 3 September 1938, 2: For Sale, with Entry at Martinmas 1938, the DAIRY and ARABLE FARM of BULLIONDALE, AVONBRIDGE.  The Lands extend to 90 Acres or thereby, and the Dwelling-House and Buildings are suitable for the Holding, and in good condition. Mr Robert Mungall, Bulliondale, will meet intending Offerers and point out the boundaries on receiving two clear days’ notice…
  • Falkirk Herald 14 January 1939, 6: Displenishing Sale of Crop, Live Stock, Implements, etc, at Bulliondale, Avonbridge… instructions from the Executors of the late Mr James Mungall to Sell by Public Auction:
    •             10 Stacks OATS.
    •             4 Ricks RYEGRASS HAY and 2 Ricks TIMOTHY HAY.
    •             Pit Kerr’s pink POTATOES, app. 9 tons.
    •             GYP GELFING, 6 years old.
    •             CLYDESDALE MARE and CLYDESDALE GELDING.
    •             16 AURSHORE MILCH COWS, mostly end of January and February Calvers.
    •             2 two-year old AYRSHORE HEIFERS.
    •             5 Six-quarter old AYRSHORE EHIFERS.
    •             6 AYRSHIRE HEIFER STIRKS.
    •             AYSHIRE BULL.
    • Note – the Cattle are all bred on the farm, and of a good class.
      • 2 close-bodied carts, harvest frame, 2 dux ploughs, drill plough, drill, scraper, set saddle harrows, set grass seed harrows, 2 sets iron harrows, hunter hoe, three-horse cultivator, plough trees, metal roller, horse rake, turnip sowing barrow, brake harrow, reaper by Wallace, Deering binder (old), potato digger by Wallace, 2 wheelbarrows, 4 stack ladders, stack props, 2 grindstones, 2 scythes, fencing wire and stobs, draining tools, hay trolley, hay collector, set barn fanners, sack weighing machine and weights, turnip pulper, grains, forks, plough harness, odd harness, 7 milk cans (6,8, and 10 gallons).
      •             8 POULTRY HOUSES, 6 sectional.
      •             WOODEN SHED.
      • And a quantity of HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE.
  • Falkirk Herald 23 October 1943, 1: Farms for Sale SALE.  BULLIONDALE FARM, AVONBRIDGE, consisting of 5 Feus, House, 4 rooms, kitchen, scullery and milk house. H. and C. Together with Byre suitable for 22 cows, 3 Loose Boxes, 1 Hay Shed, suitable for 8 horses; Barn with newly-installed Mill; 2 Outhouses; 1 Implement Shed; 80 Acres of Land, 76 Arable and 4 grazing.  Land is suitable for growing potatoes…
  • Falkirk Herald 13 November 1943, 4: FALKIRK AUCTION MART Co DISPLENISHING SALE CROP. LIVE STOCK, O TRACTORS, TRACTOR and HORSEDRAWN IMPLEMENTS, etc., at BULLIONDALE. AVONBRIDGE, on THURSDAY’, 25th NOVEMBER, THOMAS BINNIE, LIMITED, have received Instructions from Robert Love to SELL, by…

G.B. Bailey, 2026