CACHE IS OUTSIDE OF THE PERMITER FENCE AND NOT SIUATED IN THE BUILDING OR GROUNDS> YOU DO NOT NEED TO ENTER INSIDE THE FENCE OR BUILDING TO OBTAIN THE CACHE. PLEASE FOLLOW DIRECTIONS PROVIDED. You could also collect caches at Waterloo Monument, Barons Folly and Lilliards Grave. Thsi cache has been placed by kind permission of the Friends Of the Mausoleum, this is a structure I have passed by many time along the A68 and always wondered what it was and how to get there. I never saw it in its delapidated state, but the restoration is wonderful!! Enjoy your visit!
The Monteath Mausoleum is a Grand Victorian Monument standing alone on the skyline in the Scottish Borders above the village of Ancrum, just east of the A68 at Gersit Law, part of the ancient geologial ridge known as the Lilliards Edge. It was in a semi derelict condition and on the the Scotland at risk Register. This magnificent largely forgetten monument was constructed for General Sir Thomas Monteath Dougas (1788-1868). The entrance is guarded by two life size stone lions, one awake and one curiusly asleep. Inside the building two hugh sculted angela stand guarding the tomb. Above them a star studded domed roof filters pale green llight into the interior, the doors of which were intended to be locked for all time.
Sadly due to neglect the buidling fell into disrepair. the star shaped windows lost their glass allowig water into building, the doors lost panels allowing access to wild life. Outside, the perimiter wall is damaged and overgrown.
In 2014, shocked by the beauty and neglect of this fabulous building a group of local volunteers formed a Friends group anf the have now fully restored the building. You are able to collect a key from Lothian Estates office at Bonjedward.
Details of how to get the the museum can be found on the friends fb or website please follow link below:
DO NOT WALK ALONG THE A68 IT IS A VERY FAST ROAD WITH NO REAL FOOTPATH- DIRECTIONS IN THE LINK IT HAS SAFE DIRECTIONS FROM ALL SIDES! There is access now from the campsite. https://www.friendsofthemonteathmausoleum.org.uk/finditmobile.html Well done to Cloventrout.. very quick FTF! Glad you enoyed!