Description

L-plan tower house still building in 1587, but dated
1585, seat of Maxwells until 1595; abandoned 1753 and
restored in 1850s, presumably by John Baird II, as
factor's house; enlarged wide stair turret, with
entrance, near centre on principal front, with conical-
roofed bartizan, probably circa 1890; low N wing said to
be 1899-1900. Divided into flats in 1940s, converted
1972-6 to present use as children's museum. 3 storeys
with attics; rubble-built, ashlar dressings with
distinctive use of cable mouldings, crow-stepped gables,
slate roofs. Jamb (at W end of S front) mainly rebuilt
by Baird, originally with generously proportioned stair
leading to principal floor, original door in re-
entrant angle with elaborate ornament over; projecting
stair turret on W flank rises above ground floor; one
distinctive tall wall head dormer is original; stacks
include massive E gable stack over kitchen fireplace.
Sash windows. Interior mainly 19th century, reproducing
details of external ornament; one elaborate, original
chimneypiece. Low OUTBUILDING to W mainly late 18th/19th
century, incorporating dormer head from Castle.

Statement of Interest

Inscription over door "1585/NI DOMINE/AEDES STRUXE/RIT

FRUSTRA STRUIS/SR JHON MAXWELL OF POLLOK KNY/CHT AND

D MARGARET CONYNGHN/HIS WYF BIGGET THIS HOWS"

One of a series of buildings of the 1570s-90s in the W

by the same school of masons; cf Kenmure, MacLellan's

Castle, Dunderave, Gylen, Seagate Castle Irvine etc, all

with cable mouldings/dog-tooth/chequer-corbelling.

MacGibbon and Ross have pointed out similarties with

Newark.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata IDs Q17813673 Q17813679

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

• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)