Compthall

SMR 1269 / NS 9300 7740

The area to the west of the junction of Maddiston Road, Quarry Brae and Sunnyside Road was known in the 18^th century as Compting Hall Muir and was part of Whiteside Muir (Reid 2009, 147).  It lay immediately to the north-west of “the Common” where cattle travelling through the area could be grazed (see SMR 832 Rumford Loch). 

The Scots’ word “compt” translates as “count” or “an account, register or inventory,” and as such may refer to the annual assessment made of the livestock when they returned from the summer pasture on Redding Muir (ibid).  On Grassom’s 1817 map it is appropriately denoted as Countinghall and by then a two-storey stone farmhouse had been built on the south side of the four acres of land feued in 1803, fronting the private lane called Roughhaugh Road.

It was this building which was described by the Ordnance Surveyors in 1859 as :

“A two storied mansion, slated and in good repair.   John Paterson Esq, proprietor and occupant.”

The first owner of the mansion seems to have been John Johnston who was provided with a tombstone at Polmont Old Parish Church in June 1832 (Polmont Kirk Session Minutes).  It was soon bought by Robert Ross, Esq. the third son of Robert Ross of Pilgradie in the parish of Dornoch, Sutherland. 

with an excellent walled garden, stocked with choice fruit-trees, bushes, and flowers in full bearing, and fully cropped.  The Land consists of about five imperial acres, divided into three enclosures; two of the parks are inclosed with a dike of stone and lime, and the remaining angle has a hedge around it; and there are Three Cottages erected upon this part (which can be sold separately, with the piece of land, if wished for); and it is ascertained that there is excellent rock upon the property, which could be wrought to great advantage, at a considerable distance from the house.  This property has a most beautiful view of the Forth and surrounding country.  It is within a few minutes’ walk of the Union Canal, where passengers land at Brightons for this place, and within eight minutes’ walk of the Polmont Station of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.  This would be a most desirable residence for Gentlemen carrying on business either in Edinburgh or Glasgow, or any one retired from business.  There is a large supply of excellent water at all seasons, and it is brought into the house and garden.  There is an excellent school at Polmont, also bakers and butcher (who send free of expense), and it is about a mile from the house.  The property is 21 miles west from Edinburgh, and three east of Falkirk.  Immediate entrance can be given to a purchaser” (The Scotsman 21 May 1842, 1).

Robert Ross was still at Compthall in 1853, and the following year his place was taken by J. Fotheringham who contributed £1.1.0. to the Patriotic Fund.  This was presumably John Fotheringham, banker, Clydesdale Bank, Falkirk.  He may have been a tenant.  The house was re-advertised in 1855:

“To be Sold by Private Bargain, entry at Whitsunday next, The Small Compact Property of COMPT-HALL, in the Parish of Polmont, and County of Stirling, situate within a few minutes’ walk of Polmont Station of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The Lands, which…

N.B. The furniture, &c, may be had at valuation if required” (Falkirk Herald 2 August 1855, 1).

This was given a new façade with two gablets separated by a small dormer pediment over the doorway bay.  The eastern advanced bay had crow-stepped decoration below the otherwise plain skew.  This was a well-designed and expensive building.

Thomas Jones died at Compthall on 6 August 1872 and on 16 October that year his widow gave birth to a son.  The family continued to live at the house.

By the late 1890s William H. Goff, C.A. was the proprietor and let the house out.   Mr and Mrs Gibb were in residence in 1897, and in 1901 the tenant was a Mr Wilson.  The following year the property was again on the market:

“That Very Desirable PROPERTY within ten minutes’ walk of Polmont Station , known as COMPTHALL, consisting of Substantially-Built Dwelling-House containing 3 Public Rooms,. 4 Bed-Rooms , Large Bath-Room, Laundry, Kitchen, Servants’ accommodation, Wash-house, and other Conveniences.  Also stable, coach-house, and harness-room, green-house, hen-house, and hen-run.  Walled garden and fields, the latter with frontage to the Main Road from Falkirk to Bathgate, and very suitable for feuing or building purposes.  Total extent of ground 3½ acres.  Upset price, £1800.” (Scotsman 11 January 1902, 4).

A month later the upset price was reduced to £1,600, and in September to £1,500.  In October 1903 it was finally sold in a roup held in the Crown Hotel.  Due to keen competition between Mr Marshall, the sitting tenant of the estate, and Mr Towers, fire-brick manufacturer, Grahamston, it was ultimately knocked down to Mr Marshall at £1,850.

Only seven years later Compthall was again up for sale, now with a coquet lawn.  Again the possibility of feuing some of the land for building purposes was emphasised:

“two fields, suitable for feuing or building purposes, with a frontage of about 380 feet to the main Road from Falkirk to Bathgate” (Falkirk Herald 19 February 1910, 1). 

And in the 1920s bungalows were indeed built there.

The House continued to be tenanted.  In 1912 Dr James Charles Hamilton and his wife and son were living there.  Dr Hamilton had a large practice in and around Polmont.  The couple took an active part in the social life of the village and often performed the crowning of the King and Queen at the Redding Children’s Day.  They were also prominent in the fundraising campaign for the Falkirk and District Infirmary.  In 1925 a Highland Games was held in the grounds of Compthall to that end.  Dr Hamilton L.R.C.P. and S.E., died at Compthall on 11 March 1941 aged 69 years.  Dr Hamilton was followed at Compthall by Dr James Fleming.  In 1944 he was appointed examining surgeon under the Factories Act, 1933, in succession to Dr D G. Robertson who had resigned.  Fleming took over an old Denny practice in June 1947 and his place at Compthall was taken by Dr J. Livingstone.  Livingstone was still there in 1965 when he advertised for a locum during the holiday period of July and August.

The house continued to be modified to meet modern ideas.  Its setting was somewhat altered in c2010 when four houses were built along the approach avenue to the east.  The tall boundary wall fronting Sunnyside Road was lowered in this area, but still remains to the south of Compthall House, giving it a sense of seclusion.

Newspapers

• The Scotsman 21 May 1842, 1:  LANDS IN STIRLINGSHIRE _FOR SALE, BY PRIVATE BARGAIN; THE BEAUTIFUL VILLA OF COMPTHALL AND LANDS, situated in the parish of Polmont and county of Stirling.  This property will afford several Votes in the County, and consists of a House of five rooms, kitchen, scullery, and ample cellarage, two-stalled stable, gig-house, wash-house, and a number of other conveniences, with an excellent walled garden, stocked with choice fruit-trees, bushes, and flowers in full bearing, and fully cropped.  The Land consists of about five imperial acres, divided into three enclosures; two of the parks are inclosed with a dike of stone and lime, and the remaining angle has a hedge around it; and there are Three Cottages erected upon this part (which can be sold separately, with the piece of land, if wished for); and it is ascertained that there is excellent rock upon the property, which could be wrought to great advantage, at a considerable distance from the house.  This property has a most beautiful view of the Forth and surrounding country.  It is within a few minutes’ walk of the Union Canal, where passengers land at Brightons for this place, and within eight minutes’ walk of the Polmont Station of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.  This would be a most desirable residence for Gentlemen carrying on business either in Edinburgh or Glasgow, or any one retired from business.  There is a large supply of excellent water at all seasons, and it is brought into the house and garden.  There is an excellent school at Polmont, also bakers and butcher (who send free of expense), and it is about a mile from the house.  The property is 21 miles west from Edinburgh, and three east of Falkirk.  Immediate entrance can be given to a purchaser.
  • For further particulars apply to Mr Ross, at Compthall, by Falkirk, who will point out the property or William Pollock, Esq, 13 York Place, Edinburgh.
• Glasgow Citizen 29 June 1844, 3: The VILLA and LANDS of COMPTHALL, in the parish of Polmont and county of Stirling, and within eight minutes’ walk of Polmont Station of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway and Union Canal.  The House consists of five rooms, kitchen, scullery, and a number of other conveniences, with a stable, gig-house, milk-house, &c. &c.  An excellent garden well stocked with fruit trees and bushes in full bearing; also, two PARKS and an AVENUE, altogether consisting of 4 acres, 1 rood, and 24 falls imperial measure, or thereby, enclosed with excellent walls built of stone and lime, and abundantly supplied with fine water at all seasons.  The evergreens and belts of planting are very thriving, and the property altogether is in excellent order.  It was a beautiful view of the Firth of Forth and surrounding country.  A purchaser may have entry as soon as the bargain is settled.
  • Also, that HOUSE, 2 Melville Street, Portobello…
• Scotsman 11 April 1846 – for sale again.
• Falkirk Herald 30 January 1851, 1: The VILLA and LANDS of COMPTHALL, in the Parish of Polmont and County of Stirling, within a few minutes’ walk of the Polmont Station of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.
  • The Villa consists of five rooms, kitchen and scullery, and a number of other conveniences, with a neat court of office-houses.
  • The Lands are divided into two Parks, well enclosed in with walls of stone and lime, and surrounded with belts of planting.
  • Also, a garden, well stocked with fruit trees and bushes in full bearing, and an Avenue planted on both sides with evergreens.  The whole consisting of 3 ½ Scotch acres or thereby…
• Scotsman 1 March 1851, 1: Similar advert – greatly reduced price, still Mr Ross.
• Scotsman 6 August 1853, 1: Similar advert, 3½ acres… Mr Ross, proprietor.
• Falkirk Herald 16 November 1854, 3: Patriotic Fund – J. Fotheringham, Compthall gave £1.1.0.
• Falkirk Herald 2 August 1855, 1: To be Sold by Private Bargain, entry at Whitsunday next, The Small Compact Property of COMPT-HALL, in the Parish of Polmont, and County of Stirling, situate within a few minutes’ walk of Polmont Station of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The Lands, which …
  • N.B. The furniture, &c, may be had at valuation if required.
• Caledonian Mercury 9 September 1861, 4: Deaths – Ross – At 1 Stafford Street, on the 25th ult., Robert Ross, Esq. (late of Compthall, Stirlingshire), third and last surviving son, of the late Robert Ross, Pilgradie, parish of Dornoch, Sutherland. 
• SO 13 July 1865, 8: John Greig Esq, Compthall
• Falkirk Herald 19 July 1867, 4: To be sold… upset price, £1250, The HOUSE and GROUNDS of COMPTAHLL, within five minutes’ walk of the Polmont Station of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway.  The House consists of two storeys, is pleasantly situated, and commands a fine prospect of the Forth and adjacent country.  The grounds contains 3 ½ Scots acres.  The offices consist of stable, &c.  There are also a greenhouse and an excellent garden.  The property is surrounded with a stone wall, and there is a good supply of water.  The feu-duty is £3.13s.6d.  To be seen on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Apply to Mr John Greig, at the House; or to…
• Falkirk Herald 3 February 1870, 1: in the Red Lion Inn, Falkirk, on Thursday the 17th day of February next, at 2 o’clock p. m. , THE HOUSE and GROUNDS of COMPTHALL, near to Polmont Station. The House contains Seven Apartments.  There is large Garden, a Stable, and Outhouses.  The ground extends to 3.5 Scotch acres. The whole is enclosed with a good stone wall. Feu-duty £3.13s.6d. To ensure a sale, the upset price will be £1000.
• Falkirk Herald 16 July 1870, 3: Mrs Peter Boyd, a daughter. Compthall, 
• 1870 – T. Jones, Compthall.
• Falkirk Herald 8 August 1872, 5: At Compthall, Polmont, on the 6th inst., Thomas Jones, Esq.
• Falkirk Herald 17 October 1872, 5: At Compthall, Polmont, on the loth inst., Mrs Jones, relict of the late Thomas J ones, Esquire of Compthall, of a posthumous son. 
• Falkirk Herald 13 November 1897, 8: Mr & Mrs Gibb, Compthall.
• Falkirk Herald 15 February 1899, 5: January, on the public road between Rumford and Brightons, stolen a Dutch spaniel dog, the property of Wm. H. Goff, C.A., Compthall, Brightons. Prisoner was fined 20s, or ten days. 
• November 1901 – Mr Wilson of Compthall…
• Scotsman 11 January 1902, 4: That Very Desirable PROPERTY within ten minutes’ walk of Polmont Station , known as COMPTHALL, consisting of Substantially-Built Dwelling-House containing 3 Public Rooms,. 4 Bed-Rooms , Large Bath-Room, Laundry, Kitchen, Servants’ accommodation, Wash-house, and other Conveniences.  Also stable, coach-house, and harness-room, green-house, hen-house, and hen-run.  Walled garden and fields, the latter with frontage to the Main Road from Falkirk to Bathgate, and very suitable for feuing or building purposes.  Total extent of ground 3½ acres.  Upset price, £1800.
• Falkirk Herald 15 February 1902, 4: The property of Compthall, Polmont Station, was exposed at the reduced upset price of £1600, but in this case also no bidders came forward, and the sale was adjourned.
• Falkirk Herald 26 September 1903; “Desirable country residence for sale. To be sold, by public roup, within the Crown Hotel, Falkirk, on Thursday, 8th October, at half-past two o’ clock afternoon. That very desirable residential property, within ten minute’s walk of Polmont Station, known as Compthall, consisting of substantially-built dwelling-house, containing 3 public rooms, 4 bedrooms, large bathroom, laundry, kitchen, servant’s accommodation, etc; also stable, coach-house, and harness-room; walled garden and fields, the latter with frontage to the main road from Falkirk to Bathgate, and very suitable for feuing or building purposes. Total extent of ground 3 1/2 acres. feu-duty, £3 13s 6d; upset price, £1500…”
• Falkirk Herald 10 October 1903, 5:  PROPERTY SALES.—In the Crown Hotel on Thursday the residential estate of Compthall, near Polmont Station. was put up to auction at the upset price of £1500, and after very keen competition between Mr Marshall, the present tenant of the estate, and Mr Towers, fire-brick manufacturer, Grahamston, it was ultimately knocked down to Mr Marshall at £1850.
• Falkirk Herald 19 February 1910, 1: PROPERTY NEAR POLMONT STATION, TO SELL OR LET ON LEASE, THAT very DESIRABLE PROPERTY, within Ten Minutes’ Walk Polmont Station, known as “COMPTHALL,” consisting of Substantially-Built Dwelling-House, containing 3 Large Public Rooms, 4 Bedrooms. Large Bathroom, Laundry, Kitchen, servants’ accommodation, and other conveniences; stable, coach-house, and harness-room, and large walled garden and croquet lawn; also two fields, suitable for feuing or building purposes, with a frontage of about 380 feet to the main Road from Falkirk to Bathgate.  With the exception of coal, the minerals (which are of value) will be included in the sale…
• Aberdeen Press & Journal 10 July 1914, 5: Dr J.C. Hamilton, Crompthall, Polmont.
• Falkirk Herald 22 July 1925, 2: POLMONT Highland Games.  Successful Gathering in Aid of New Infirmary. Through the kindness of Dr Hamilton, the grounds of Compthall, Polmont, were on Monday afternoon thrown open for the holding a of the Falkirk and District New Infirmary…
• Scotsman 4 February 1928, 20: HAMILTON. —At Compthall, Polmont, suddenly, on 31st, January, William Manson Hamilton, aged 26 years, beloved son of Dr and Mrs Hamilton…
• Falkirk Herald 11 June 1930, 16: Dr and Mrs Hamilton crowned the King and Queen at the Redding Children’s Day.
• Falkirk Herald 9 March 1935, 9: The late Thomas Jones carried on business as a grocer in High Street, Falkirk.  The Jones family, three sons and one daughter, resided at Sunnyside in Camelon, and subsequently at Compthall, Polmont.
• Falkirk Herald 22 March 1941, 1: At Compthall, Polmont, on 11, James Charles Hamilton, L., aged 69, beloved husband Hamilton, and son of the late Rev. Hamilton, St. Martin’s, Perthshire.
• Falkirk Herald 22 March 1941, 5:  the death of Dr James Charles Hamilton, L.R.C.P. and S.E., which took place at Compthall, Polmont, on Sunday last.  Dr Hamilton, who was 69 years of age, was the son of the late Rev. William S. Hamilton, and was born at the Manse of St Martins, Perthshire… After being a few years in practice in St Monance, Fifeshire, Dr Hamilton came to Polmont 32 years ago, and since then has conducted a very extensive practice in the parish… survived by Mrs Hamilton and one son, John C. Hamilton, at present serving with the Royal Artillery in the south of England.
• Falkirk Herald 15 January 1944, 5: Dr J. Fleming. M.8.. Ch.B., Compthall, Polmont, has been appointed examining surgeon under the Factories Act, 1933. in succession to Dr D G. Robertson (resigned)…
• Falkirk Herald 28 June 1947, 6: old Denny practice, carried on with so much success by the departing doctors, is being taken over by Dr. James Fleming, Compthall, Polmont.  Dr. Fleming is no stranger to Denny, having about 14 years ago acted for a time as assistant to Dr. Horne and since…
• Falkirk Herald 23 August 1947, 3: Dr. J. Livingstone, Compthall, Polmont, has been appointed Examining Surgeon under the Factories Act, 1937, in succession to Dr. J. Fleming (resigned) …
• Daily Record 17 June 1949, 7: Anthea Margaret Livingstone three-year-old daughter of Dr J Livingstone CompthalL Polmont died in Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary yesterday as a result of injuries sustained when knocked down by a motor
• Scotsman 15 May 1965, 17: Locum (car owner) required during part or whole of July and August… apply Dr J. Livingstone, Compthall, Brightons.

G.B. Bailey, 2026