Steading, Mains Of Carnousie

Dated 1797 (according to Simpson), Mains of Carnousie is a large, classically detailed, quadrangular steading. It was built by General Duff, who lived at Carnousie Castle between 1790 and 1804, and reflects his efforts to enclose the Mains in 1792. The castle to the east is listed separately.

The steading features a two-stage, rusticated ashlar fronted tower with a birdcage bellcote over the vehicular entrance pend. It is constructed of square and pinned rubble with a rubble base course and granite ashlar dressings. The south elevation is dominated by the tower, which has a pedimented appearance and an ashlar belfry. A tall, segmentally arched pend with a keystone is at ground level, above which is a Venetian window. The pediment has a keystoned bull's-eye window, and the belfry has a blind bull's-eye to its base, rusticated quoins, an ogee roof, and a ball finial to the bellcote. Symmetrical, two-storey, four-bay ranges flank the tower. Wooden lean-to additions extend to the right. The north elevation mirrors the south, with a segmentally arched pend at its centre. Modern cladding and a corrugated iron outbuilding adjoin the eastern side.

The courtyard reveals a wallhead stack above the tower, which has two windows at first floor level. Segmental arched cart-arches are found along the east range, with a larger arch to the left that has moulded architraves to accommodate a missing door. Two small windows are positioned above the hayloft. Cattle courts are covered by a modern corrugated iron roof to the west range.

Windows are fitted with 3-pane, vertical glazing to the first-floor windows. The roof is covered in grey slates, with coped ashlar stacks, two of which are located above the pend to the north. According to Simpson, the steading was originally dated on the belfry, though this marking is now difficult to see.