Description

Circa 1502 rectangular-plan 3-storey and attic tower house, 17th and 19th century courtyard buildings to south; alterations 1856 and 1864 when large baronial wings were added to south and to west of tower- latter wing removed and west wall of tower house re-modelled after 1959 fire; restoration completed 1962 by Noad and Wallace of Glasgow.

Tower is harled, remainder red rubble, all with red ashlar dressings and mostly crow-stepped gables.

TOWER: north-facing inserted doorway below 1856 crest, and rebuilt wallhead stack, porch to south; fenestration is altered and asymmetrical - mostly small-paned sashes; conical-roofed bartizan over 2 diagonally opposite angles, lean-to at east and massive apex stack. Interior mostly 1962.

SOUTH WING: 3 storeys with attic; single and mullioned windows (plate glass sashes); east and west long elevations each have pedimented dormer heads over 2 southmost bays and full-height twin-gabled shallow projection - one gable to west carried upward as octagonal turret; conical-roofed bartizans over 2 diagonally opposite angles: modern fire escape on south gable.

COURTYARDS: 3 2-storey ranges in joggled T-plan, with courtyard to east and to west of inner range, each court bounded on north by wall with arched entrance; both inner (?former chapel) and south west ranges essentially 17th century (possibly circa 1672 when tower interior re-modelled), each with segmental-arched dormer heads above wall-head,

and massive wall-head stack facing west court (latter walled at west also); inner range has semi-circular south gable; drum tower with gun ports at south west angle; much altered plainer south east range (presumably circa 1856 or 1864) has corresponding tower to east; (principal) east court entered from east.

Statement of Interest

1502 building for 2nd Montgomery of Skelmorlie; additions for John Grahame. Some unspecified alterations by John Honeyman, 1876, costing $800 (Honeyman and Keppie account)

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Skelmorlie Castle at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q7534501

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Kent: West and the Weald: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)