Home Farm, Mountblairy

Home Farm is a large, late 18th century, circa 1791-1800, quadrangular steading, with substantial additions made in 1835. The western range is constructed of random whinstone rubble with stugged cream sandstone dressings and depressed arches. A central pend features a gabled tower incorporating a dovecot with a blocked semi-circular flight-hole and a ball finial to the gablehead. The long, symmetrical elevations flanking the pend are largely blank, with cart-arches punctuating the outer bays; two hayloft doors are located to either side of the centre. Irregular openings are present to the courtyard on the east side, while the tower has two round-arched windows and a bulls-eye window in the gablehead. An ashlar belfry, topped with a pyramidal roof and ball finial, is also present. Flight-holes for the dovecot are located under the eaves on the north and south sides.

The southern range incorporates a two-storey, three-bay farmhouse built into the centre, with a harled finish. A central door is flanked by a small, 20th-century window to the left and windows to the outer bays. There are two windows at the first floor level. A modern, gabled porch has been added to the rear, with windows flanking it. Cat-slide dormerheads break the eaves to accommodate attic windows. Sash and case windows with a 12-pane glazing pattern are used throughout. Outbuildings adjoin the farmhouse on both sides.

A later two-storey range of outbuildings, including hen-houses and pig sties, extends at right angles to the east on the north side, constructed from random rubble with sandstone dressings.

The cattle courts within the quadrangle have piend roofs and depressed arches with wrought-iron gates.

The stables on the eastern range were built in 1835 by John Smith of Aberdeen. They are harled with sandstone ashlar dressings, including a base course, cill course, cornice, and entablature. A projecting, distyle Greek Doric portico in antis is flanked by advanced pilasters. Three-bay wings flank the portico, terminating in advanced, paired pilasters; a central door is topped with a multi-pane fanlight, with windows flanking. There are smaller windows at the first floor level. A catslide roof is present at the rear. Sash and case windows with a predominantly 12-pane glazing pattern are used. The roof is covered with grey slates and features ashlar coped skews.

The wider landscape includes Mountblairy House, which was probably also designed by Smith but was demolished in the 1950s. Mountblairy Bridge, also by Smith, lies to the south, and a separate mausoleum stands to the north.