SMR 496 / NS 8776 7202
The late 18th century farmhouse at North Arnloss was well appointed. It consisted of a long narrow block aligned WSW/ENE made of quarried sandstone. The building was subsumed into larger agricultural sheds in the 1970s and the north and east walls were demolished. The remaining west gable is capped by a plain skew terminating in decorated roll-moulded skewputs. No such stones were noted for the east gable in 1954 when the site was visited by the RCAHMS. There may not have been any there as it was the west gable that faced the visitor.
The RCAHMS noted that a lintel over the doorway of the farmhouse had the inscription “17 JW JP 91”. The initials are for James Waugh and Janet Paton. A small dormer pediment was also seen set in the same wall, with the date 1691 in large incised figures. As the farmhouse faced north we can assume that they were in the north wall which has since been removed.
The threshing barn to the north-east has an inscribed door lintel with the inscription “J 1864 W” for a later John Waugh. This doorway has neatly chamfered margins and the quality of the stonework matches that in the southern half of the remaining building (the east and south walls of which have been removed) which uses pecked sandstone. The northern end of this building is made of smaller random rubble with some whinstone.
In the west wall of this section is another stone observed by the RCAHMS which wrongly described it was sporting the relief carving of a thistle, c10ins high by 12 broad. The plant depicted is probably meant to be a palm tree and beside it are the numerals “811” for 1811. In the lower panel are the familiar initials “J W”. The borders of the panels are unusual. The upper section is slightly arched as if to represent a gateway with much narrower “pedestrian” entrances to either side producing grooved margins. The lower section has an indented or cogged margin, inverted along its top.
Until the 1970s the access road to the farm came from the north and turned east to front the farmhouse on that side. At the end of this track were two gate piers, the capping stones for which remain. They have arched faces on each of the four sides. Three of these have arched insets, but the fourth was a triangular inset – probably for the side facing the house.
The Ordnance Surveyors described North Arnloss in 1858 as :
“A farmsteading one story, slated and in good repair. Mr James Waugh Proprietor & Occupant.”
The farmhouse was partially reconstructed in the late 19th century (Falkirk Archives a 1802.13).
The farm was occupied by the Waugh family for around 300 years and was only finally sold in 1943 after James Waugh entered the ministry.
Bibliography
| RCAHMS | 1963 | Stirlingshire: An Inventory of Ancient Monuments. (Quoted at 1 below) |
| Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser | 1881 | 12 November, page 3 (Quoted below) |
| Falkirk Herald | 1881 | 3 November, page 4 (Quoted at (i) below) |
| Falkirk Herald | 1901 | 2 November, page 4(Quoted at (ii) below) |
| Falkirk Herald | 1906 | 1 December, page 4 (Quoted at (iii) below) |
| Falkirk Herald | 1915 | 10 July, page 4 (Quoted at (iv) below |
| The Scotsman | 1943 | 8 July, page 1 (Quoted at bottom of this page) |
- “Carved Stones, North Arnloss. The dwelling house at North Arnloss, which forms part of the range of buildings running E. and W. has gone out of use, but may be identified by the lintel over the doorway inscribed 17 J W J P 91. The initials are for James Waugh and Janet Paton. In the same Wall there is set a small dormer-pediment bearing the date 1691 in large incised figures, with traces of paint. The gable at the W. end of this range has decorated roll-skewputs. In the wall of the small boiler-house opposite the dwelling-house door there is a stone bearing a thistle, in relief, which measures 10 in. in height by 12 in. across the leaves. Like the dormer-pediment it shows traces of paint. 877720 NS 87 SE 10 April 1954” [p.404]
Airdie and Coatbridge Advertiser
12 November 1881, 3: as Falkirk Herald 3 November 1881, comprising:
- 19 Stacks of OATS.
- 1000 Stones of RYEGRASS HAY.
- 700 Stones of NEADOW HAY.
- 3 Acres of Aberdeen YELLOW TURNIPS, an Excellent Crop.
- 2 FARM HORSES.
- 11 AYRSHIRE COWS in calf (two near calving).
- 10 six-quarter old AYRSHIRE QUEYS, and
- 9 AYRSHIRE CALVES.
- Two Close-bodied Carts with Wheels and Axles and Cart Sides, One Hay Waggon, Two Reaping Machines by Wallace, Two Iron Ploughs, One Drill Plough, Iron Grubber, Drill Scraper, Iron brake harrow, Two Pairs Wooden Grain harrows. Two Sets Cart and Plough Horse Harness, Churn Milk Dishes and Dairy Utensils, & c, & c…
Falkirk Herald
- 3 November 1881, 4: DISPLENISHING SALE of CROP, LIVE STOCK, and IMPLEMENTS, at NORTH ARNLOSS, Slamannan, belonging to James Waugh Esq, who is giving up Farming), WEDNESDAY, 16th November, at 12 o’clock, THOMAS BINNIE, Auctioneer.
- 2 November 1901, 4: As above, comprising:
- 11 Stacks OATS, secured in good order, and suitable for Seed.
- 10 Tons RYEGRASS HAY.
- 1 Acre TURNIPS, in Pits.
- 1 FARM MARE, a good worker.
- 5 AYRSHIRE MILCH COWS, two calves, January and February.
- 7 two-year old AYRSHORE HEIFERS.
- 9 CALVES.
- 60 HEAD of POULTRY, all young, including TURKEYS and DUCKS.
- Excellent two-wheeled dogcart, set gig harness in good order, pair superior backbands for ploughing match, close cart, hay waggon, harrows, iron meat cooler, barn fanners, hay cutter, grindstone, ladders, 2 water barrels, 3 churns, souring boats, 2 milk cans with brass cranes, milk plates, and other dairy utensils, forks, rakes, barn utensils, & c; also about 8 Tons of PEATS and a Quantity of MANURE…
- 1 December 1906, 4: DISPLENISHING SALE, At NORTH ARNLOSS WEDNESDAY. 12th DECEMBER. THOMAS BINNIE, LIMITED, have received instructions from Mrs Waugh, to Sell, Public Auction, at NORTH ARNLOSS, Miles South-East from Slamannan, on WEDNESDAY, 12th …
- 10 July 1915, 4: year by year the district adds to its laurels in the hen-farming line. This profit-making business was for many years much neglected. Now, however, on every croft are to be found hens of a pure strain and the envy of all visitors. The Government’s decision in selecting Mrs John Waugh’s North Arnloss Farm for this purpose has done much to help in this direction. Here are kept, under Government supervision, fowls of all profit-making kinds and all of the purest breeds. The season’s eggs are obtained for one shilling per sitting, the Government defraying the rest of the expense in order to encourage the purchasing of pure-bred fowls, and so help the smaller farmers…
The Scotsman
8 July 1943, 1: STIRLINGSHIRE. — For sale privately, the FARMS of NORTH ARNLOSS and WESTER CROSSHILL, in the PARISH OF SLAMANNAN, extending to approximately 128 acres. NORTH ARNLOSS extends to approximately 57 acres and has a farmhouse, 2 byres, 1 stable, 1 barn, & c…
Falkirk Local History Society 