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 Special 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.