Date: 1866; library and gates added in 1913
Location: south of Galashiels, above the River Tweed
Designation: Category A listed, LB12929
Glenmayne is one of the grandest houses associated with Galashiels’ industrial wealth: a commanding Scots Baronial residence designed by Charles Kinnear for pelt-monger John Murray and later enriched by Robert Lorimer.
Last reviewed: 17 July 2026
Quick Facts
| Date | 1866; library and gates added in 1913 |
|---|---|
| Location | south of Galashiels, above the River Tweed |
| Building type | country house / large mill-owner residence |
| Designation | Category A listed, LB12929 |
Why It Matters
The house demonstrates how wealth generated by the wool and skin trades could be translated into architecture of near-country-house scale. Its Category A designation reflects both design quality and the survival of important interiors and later work by Lorimer.
The Story
Charles Kinnear of Peddie and Kinnear designed Glenmayne in 1866 for John Murray. Set high above the Tweed, it used a dramatic Baronial outline to proclaim status while enjoying distance from the industrial town. Towers, gables and varied roof forms give the house a picturesque silhouette from across the valley.
In 1913 Sir Robert Lorimer designed a library and lodge gates, adding another nationally important architectural association. HES records a rich interior, making the house significant as more than a distant landmark.
Whether Glenmayne is described as being in Galashiels should be handled carefully. HES places it in the civil parish of Galashiels, and its client and historical meaning are inseparable from the town’s industries, even though it stands beyond the continuous built-up area.
Significance Scores
| Criterion | Score | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural interest | 5/5 | Major Scots Baronial house with later Lorimer work |
| Historical importance | 5/5 | Direct expression of industrial and mercantile wealth |
| Social significance | 3/5 | Less publicly accessible, but important to the town’s wider story |
| Rarity | 5/5 | Category A house with two major architectural associations |
| Townscape contribution | 4/5 | A dramatic landmark in the wider Tweed landscape |
How the significance scores are assessed
Sources
Image and Licence Note
Glenmayne House, Walter Baxter, 19 February 2008, CC BY-SA 2.0. The long view clearly shows the elevated setting but should be supplemented by a closer licensed image if one is later located.
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