Description

Probably early 19th century. 2-storey, 2-bay Georgian country villa. Flanking singke-storey wings slightly later in date. Extensive single-storey outhouse ranges forming U-plan to rear, of various dates, from early 19th century onwards.

ORIGINAL HOUSE: white harled symmetrical ENTRANCE ELEVATION with shallow advanced centre bay; base course, cill course at ground, cornice and blocking course. Simplified pilaster architraved doorcase with plain consoles and canopy (pilasters with recessed panel detailing). Single-light windows; modern glazing. Shallow piended slate roof (contained within roof space is original oval cupola with calssical plaster frieze). Ashlar end stacks. Site slopes slightly E-W.

WINGS: shallow-advanced single bays with distinctive wide segmental-arched windows (each possibly with 2 mullions originally, as at Garnkirk). White harled with base course and narrow raised full height verticl margins, as at principal block. Side windows in both pavilions built up, probably in 19th century. Original glazing pattern and interior plasterwork lost (see note). Slated piended roof.

REAR ELEVATION: unrendered squared and snecked sandstone rubble, ashlar dressings. Bowed stair tower with conical slated roof and large multi-paned sash and case window at centre.

Symmetry of flanking windows disturbed at time of addition of subsidiary ranges extending N: ground floor windows moved in closer to stair. All windows with narrow raised margins and droved dressings; multi-paned sash and case glazing throughout.

INTERIOR: stone stair in rear stair tower, large stone newel recently retooled (1990); recessed niche in entrance hall facing door and smaller timber architraved niche above with moulded cill.

OUTHOUSES: (see note); ?early 19th century. Roughly symmetrical E and W single storey ranges extending N behind house; both ranges part demolished towards N. Sandstone random rubble with droved dressings and re-used lintels; axial ridge stacks. Variety of openings including and arch in E wall of E range (now with rubble infill and a small door with timber lintel to right, modern window to left) possibly an early gateway predating the house. Openings in surviving wall of E range built up in brick. Later 19th century brick-walled garden to W, mainly intact.

Statement of Interest

Built in the syle popularised in the west by David Hamilton. Glazing at the wings may originally have been of the type to be seen in Hamilton's designs: with stone mullions, possibly consoled with recessed panels as at doorcase. Palacecraig House and estate purchased in 1803 by ironmaster Wm Dixon (of Dixon's Blazes, the only blast furnace works in Glasgow in 1837. The estate changed hands in 1841 when purchased by Messrs. Baird of Gartsherrie.

Outhouses said to have accommodated coal miners.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17826596

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

• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
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  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
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  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Kent: North East and East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)