SMR 249 / NS 9576 7592
Compston lay in the barony of Manuel and was anciently part of Manuelrig. It is first mentioned by name in 1457 (Reid 1994). It was tenanted by a number of cottars and farmers but it was probably only in the late 17th century that it emerged as a small estate with a substantial farmhouse. At that time it was associated with the Dick family which had considerable possessions in the parish (ibid, 45). One of them, “John Dick of Compstoun,” acted as the Baillie of that part of the barony in and around 1708, and his son (?), Andrew, seems to have continued in that role. The family was still at Compston in 1787 when John Dick disponed parts of the lands of Compston, called Newhouse and Wester Draffins, to the owners of the Muiravonside estate. From 1469 the superiority of the Lands had rested with the Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity in Edinburgh, and was latterly administered for it by the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council of that city.
The first edition Ordnance Survey map shows the ruins of a rectangular doocot to the north of the house (SMR 20), which suggests that it was a lectern style doocot typical of the late 17th century. This date would also suit the mouldings at the main doorway of the later two-storey house, and some other architectural fragments. The house as it stands today probably dates to the beginning of the 19th century. The outbuildings too are later in date.
The Dick family were still in occupation as late as 1828 when Mrs Bethia Dougall, relict of the late William Dick, merchant in Glasgow, died there (Edinburgh Evening Courant 16 February 1828, 3). Their daughter, also Bethia Dick of Compston, died in 1848 (Falkirk Herald 13 January 1848, 3) and the house was then put up for let:
“HOUSE AND GARDEN TO LET. To be Let, with immediate Entry, and for such period as may be agreed upon, COMPSTON HOUSE, in the Parish of Muiravonside, consisting of Dining-Room, Parlour, Kitchen, and Milkhouse, in the ground floor, and three Bed-Rooms in the upper flat. The orchard and Garden extend to nearly an acre, and are well stored with fruit trees, & c….”
(Falkirk Herald 10 February 1853, 1)
It was purchased by James Russel & Son who had just established the nearby Almond Ironworks and provided grazing for the company’s animals and fresh farm produce for its workers. It may have been the company’s intention to exploit the mineral wealth of the property, but it had sufficient resources without doing so. The house was let as part of the working farm to James Clark and produced crops of potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, ryegrass and beans. Clark seems to have run into financial difficulties and in 1862 Russel & Sons decided to sell Compston. No buyer coming forward, it instead continued to let the farm. Clark handed over to Robert Nimmo, a baker from Bo’ness, in 1864.
In 1875 there was another attempt to sell Compston:
“For sale… the Lands of Compston, including part of the Lands of High Croft, in the Parish of Muiravonside and County of Stirling, extending to 43 imperial acres, or thereby, as described in the titles. The Lands are at present possessed as a farm by Robert Nimmo, at a rent of £68. There is a suitable farmsteading with large farm house and garden on the lands, and there are also several small dwelling houses let to different tenants at a cumulo rent of £11. The feu-duty of Compston is 3s 4d, and the part of High Croft is held free blench…”
(Falkirk Herald 17 July 1875, 1).
Robert Nimmo left the farm the following year and held the usual displenishing sale of his agricultural equipment and stock. In 1877 there was an advert to let the house, which it calls a cottage, consisting of Dining-Room, Parlour, 3 Bedrooms, Kitchen, and Scullery, with Outhouses and Garden; also, Stable, Byre, Barn, and Workman’s House (Falkirk Herald 19 April 1877, 1).
The new tenant was John Kay. The Almond Foundry ceased production in 1881 but it was 1889 before it and Compston were sold off. By 1900 the owner of Compston House was John Dewar who had been a high ranking administrative official with the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh. The farm had been converted into a diary farm and the fields were put into pasture. A byre with stall accommodation for eighteen cows had been added. A reservoir fed it and the farm with gravitational water. James Dewar died at Compston in October 1904 and his widow decided to sell the 38 acre property.
The Durie family kept the farm going into the 1940s – Adam Durie dying there in October 1946 at the age of 85 years, and his wife, Sarah Newlands, the following January.
The buildings were substantially refurbished in 1983 and sold on together with 5.32 acres of land, having been sympathetically modernised
“to retain many of its original features. The accommodation comprises entrance hall, lounge, dining-room, study, luxury fitted farmhouse kitchen, utility-room, bathrooms, three bedrooms and central heating…”
(Falkirk Herald 27 March 1987, 24).
It was bought by Helen and Drew Robertson.
Bibliography
| Reid, J. | 1994 | ‘The Feudal Divisions of East Stirlingshire’ Calatria 6, p69. |
| Reid, J | 1994 | ‘The Feudal Divisions of Muiravonside Parish (Part 2)’ Calatria 7, 21-85 |
NEWSPAPERS
- Edinburgh Evening Courant, 2 February 1828, 1:
The Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council hereby give notice – 1st, That they will expose to sale, by public roup, within the Council Chamber here, on Thursday the 14th February next, at two o’clock afternoon, the SUPERIORITY of certain Parts and Portions of the LANDS of COMPSTON and others, lying in the parish of and shire of Stirling, belonging in property to Mr M‘Leod and to Mr Dick, and extending to nearly £100 Scots of valuation in the said shire… - Edinburgh Evening Courant, 16 February 1828, 3:
Died, at Compston, Stirlingshire, on the 8th instant, much and justly regretted, Mrs Bethia Dougall, relict of the late William Dick, merchant in Glasgow. - Falkirk Herald, 13 January 1848, 3:
NOTICE. ALL Persons having CLAIMS against the late Miss BETHIA Dick, of Compston, are requested to lodge the same with Messrs Liston & Salmon, Writers in Falkirk, within Ten days from this date, in order… - Falkirk Herald, 10 February 1853, 1:
HOUSE AND GARDEN TO LET. To be Let, with immediate Entry, and for such period as may be agreed upon, COMPSTON HOUSE, in the Parish of Muiravonside, consisting of Dining-Room, Parlour, Kitchen, and Milkhouse, in the ground floor, and three Bed-Rooms in the upper flat. The orchard and Garden extend to nearly an acre, and are well stored with fruit trees, & c.- The House is about three miles distant from the Linlithgow and Polmont Stations of the Edinburgh…
- Falkirk Herald, 11 September 1856, 3;
At Compston, Muiravonside, on the 8th instant, Mrs. JAMES CLARK, of a son. - Falkirk Herald, 2 October 1856, 1: COMPSTON POTATOES. To be Sold by Public Roup, on Saturday the 4th day of October, 1856, on the Lands of Compston, near Almond Iron Works, possessed by Mr James Clark,
- Falkirk Herald, 29 November 1860, 3:
CROP AND FARM STOCKING, COMPSTON and HIGH CROFT, On SATURDAY, 1st DECEMBER, 1860. TO be Sold by Public Roup, by virtue of a Warrant from the Sheriff of Stirlingshire… possessed by Mr James Clark… - Falkirk Herald, 4 September 1862, 1:
LANDS in the PARISH of MUIRAVONSIDE AND COUNTY OF STIRLING, FOR SALE BY PRIVATE BARGAIN, THE LANDS of COMPSTON and HIGH CROFT, comprehending part of Tardiff Muir, presently possessed by Mr James Clark; together with the DWELLING-HOUSE, Offices, and Cottars; houses, therewith connected.- The property has not yet been bored, but is believed to contain coal and ironstone of the same description as those which are in the course of being worked in the immediate neighbourhood.
- The present rent of the farm, exclusive of cottars’ houses, is £70…
- Falkirk Herald, 2 July 1863, 1:
TO BE LET, With Entry at Martinmas, THE FARM of COMPSTON, in the Parish of Muiravonside, for such number of years as may be agreed on. The Lands consist of 44 Acres or thereby. For farther particulars apply to Mr William Mitchell, farmer, Laurieston… - Falkirk Herald, 19 November 1863, 4:
WHEAT, BARLEY, OAT, & BEAN STACKS, FOR SALE, At COMPSTON, MUIRAVONSIDE, Ox SATURDAY, 28ra NOVEMBER. THERE will be Sold by Public Roup, at the Farm of Compston, Muiravonside, now or lately possesses by Mr Clark… - Daily Review (Edinburgh), 2 August 1865, 7:
bought from Mr Nimmo, Compston, Muiravonside, a calving cow at £l6 - The Scotsman, 12 September 1868, 4:
Two pro indiviso third-parts of all and whole the just and equal half of the Lands of Compston; as also, all and whole that part of the Lands and Barony of Manuelfoulis, otherwise Hillhead, commonly called Highcroft, with houses, & c, lying within the barony of Manuel and Sheriffdom of Stirling… - Falkirk Herald, 17 August 1871, 4:
HAY AND POTATOES, COMPSTON, On FRIDAY, 25 AUGUST. THOMAS BINNIE will Sell Public Auction, on Friday, 25th August, 1871, on the Farm of Compston, possessed by Mr Robert Nimmo, 700 Stones of RYEGRASS and CLOVER HAY and 3 acres of first-class potatoes - Falkirk Herald, 17 July 1875, 1:
For sale… the Lands of Compston, including part of the Lands of High Croft, in the Parish of Muiravonside and County of Stirling, extending to 43 imperial acres, or thereby, as described in the titles. The Lands are at present possessed as a farm by Robert Nimmo, at a rent of £68. There is a suitable farmsteading with large farm house and garden on the lands, and there are also several small dwelling houses let to different tenants at a cumulo rent of £11. The feu-duty of Compston is 3s 4d, and the part of High Croft is held free blench…. - Falkirk Herald, 5 October 1876, 4:
DISPLENISHING SALE STACKS OF GRAIN, LIVE STOCK, FARM IMPLEMENTS, Ac., At COMPSTON, MUIRAVONSIDE. THOMAS BINNIE begs to intimate that he is instructed by Mr Robert Nimmo (who is leaving the Farm) to Sell … - Falkirk Herald, 19 April 1877, 1:
TO LET, with entry at Whitsunday, COMPSTON COTTAGE, consisting of Dining-Room, Parlour, 3 Bedrooms, Kitchen, and Scullery, with Outhouses and Garden; also, Stable, Byre, Barn, and Workman’s House, situated within 4 minutes’ walk of Manuel Station, North British Railway, and 15 minutes walk of Manuel Station, For further particulars apply to James Russel & Son, Falkirk, Mr Baillie, Almond Iron Works, Causewayend, will shew the House, which is situated in a dry, healthy district, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. - Falkirk Herald, 16 April 1887, 1:
STIRLINGSHIRE.— To Sub-Let, COMPSTON, near Causewayend and Manuel Stations, N. B. Ry., containing 5 Rooms, Kitchen, Back Kitchen, and Washhouse in good order; large front and back gardens, also coachman’s house, stable, byre, and other offices, together of separately. Immediate entry… [still Russel] - Falkirk Herald, 11 July 1896, 1:
For sale by private bargain, desirable small farm with good dwellinghouse and steading. The parts of the Lands of Compston, extending to about 38 acres, situated in the immediate neighbourhood of Causewayend Station, and about a mile from Manuel Station on the N.B. Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway (Main Line) in the parish of Muiravonside and County of Stirling. The situation is suitable for a Residence, and the whole lands are in the hands of the proprietor. The farmhouse is superior, with a good walled garden. There are also some cottar houses on the lands let to tenants, and a small part of ground has been feued… - Falkirk Herald,25 July 1896, 1:
At Compston, Linlithgow, on the 21st, c ith, beloved wife of John Kay, farmer.- 1900 – James Dewar of Compston
- Falkirk Herald, 26 September 1903, 6:
Death of Robert Nimmo… Bo’ness. Deceased for many years carried on the business of a baker m North Street, and later in life occupied the farm of Compston, in the Manuel district. He retired from business, and lived for same years at Ochil View. Quite recently he went to London… - The Scotsman, 6 October 1904, 4:
The death is announced at Compston, Linlithgow, of Mr James Dewar, an old and valued official of the Church of Scotland Offices in Edinburgh , Mr Dewar … - Falkirk Herald, 3 August 1907, 8:
To sell of let, the Lands of Compston, with excellent dwelling house, garden, good stable and byre accommodation. Very suitable for dairy farm. Apply to Mrs Dewar, Compston, Linlithgow. - West Lothian Courant, 15 November 1907, 1: DISPLENISHING SALE AT COMPSTON FARM (Mrs Dewar’s) on FRIDAY, 29th November
- Falkirk Herald, 4 July 1908, 8:
STIRLINGSHIRE. SALE, the FARM of COMPSTON, in the Parish of MUIRAVONSIDE, extending to Thirty-Eight Acres or thereby, with Good DWELLING-HOUSE and several COTTAGES and FEUS. The Dwelling-House consists Seven Apartments, with Garden and Small Paddock, walled-in. The steading is suitable for the farm, and has stall accommodation for eighteen cows, etc. Well suited for dairy farm. Gravitation water supply… - Falkirk Herald, 26 October 1946, 1:
DURIE.—At Compston Farm, The Loan, by Linlithgow, Non 24th October, 1946, Adam Durie, aged 85 years, beloved husband of Sarah Newlands. - Falkirk Herald, 18 January 1947, 1:
DURIE. At Compston Farm, The Loan, Linlithgow, on 11th January, 1947, Sarah Durie, wife of the late Adam Durie. - Falkirk Herald, 27 March 1987, 24:
Compston House, offers over £95,000. Set in its own grounds with stables, loose boxes and outbuildings, enclosed walled garden, paddocks and additional land (in all 5,32 acres approximately), this fine example of a pocket Georgian house (Grade C Listed)… has been modernised and sympathetically refurbished by the present owners to retain many of its original features. The accommodation comprises entrance hall, lounge, dining-room, study, luxury fitted farmhouse kitchen, utility-room, bathrooms, three bedrooms and central heating… - Falkirk Herald, 11 October 1990, 12:
Vivienne Robertson, Compston House. - Falkirk Herald, 28 September 1995, 6:
Vivienne (23) is the daughter of Helen and Drew Robertson, Compston House Muiravonside. - …
Falkirk Local History Society 