Dandra Garth

Dandra Garth is a large farmhouse, likely dating from the later 17th century, with alterations in the 18th or early 19th century. It is constructed of slobbered random rubble with a prominent plinth of large masonry, irregular quoins, and a stone slate roof. The building follows a T-plan, consisting of a single-depth, two-unit range facing south, with an added rear wing.

The exterior has three storeys, appearing almost symmetrical with three windows. The ground floor features a square-headed doorway with a pegged oak door, protected by a low gable porch with a square-headed outer doorway and a drip-band. The porch also has a triangular set of pigeon holes arranged in five tiers, with the top hole blocked. A stone slate drip-band runs along the wall above the porch. There are two square, nine-pane fixed windows to the left, the second with a single opening pane in the top left corner and a wide rubble relieving arch above. To the right is a larger square, sixteen-pane sash window, also with a similar relieving arch. The first floor has three square fixed windows with opening panes, each set with a slightly smaller relieving arch. The top storey, built with slightly different masonry and crisp, slightly-raised quoins (suggesting raised eaves), has one narrow and two square, one-light windows, all very small and blocked. Large gable chimneys are present, with the one to the left extruded. The added rear wing partially covers a stair-window.

Inside, a lateral stone partition wall is located to the right of the doorway (on the ground floor only), and there is an inserted partition to the left. The housepart to the left has two lateral beams, papered and with an under-drawn ceiling. An oak spiral staircase is situated off a rear corner, now enclosed by a passage. The former parlour, now partitioned to form a dairy at the rear, features a 17th-century moulded plaster over-mantel with a rampant lion among leaves. The first floor retains old floorboards pegged to the joists beneath, and a muntin-and-plank partition, now papered. The attic contains a corbelled chimney over a funnelled recess of a former smoke-hood. The house’s interior remains remarkably unaltered.

Dandra Garth forms a group with a barn approximately 30 metres south and another barn approximately 60 metres south-west.