Balbeuchley Steading

Balbeuchley Steading

This is a substantial U-plan steading, later made quadrangular, built on falling ground with its northwest corner now ruinous. The main section dates to 1802, with the south range built in the earlier 19th century. The structure is rubble-built with droved and margined dressings; the south range has stugged and margined dressings. Roofs are piended slate. Windows are mostly timber-framed sashes and cases, top-hoppers, and fixed frames; doors are boarded, single and two-leaf; granary windows are boarded.

The north range contains a segmental cart entrance at its centre with a blind first floor and gable. To the left is a two-bay range, later raised, each bay with a window; the bay at far left is slightly advanced with a blocked opening. A single-storey range to the right is mostly ruinous, with a bay at the far right slightly advanced with a blocked door. A later single-storey implement shed adjoins this on a similar axis, advanced at the left.

On the courtyard elevation of the north range, a cart entrance stands at centre with a blocked window at first floor (dated lintel) and attic space above. To the right is a range with a central door, two windows to left and right, three windows at the later first floor, and three roof vents. A single-storey range to the left has a bay at right with door and ruinous roof; a collapsed bay at left shows brick alterations and evidence of two possible cart-arches.

The east range is a threshing barn with remains of a wheelhouse and a later adjoining horse-mill at centre right. Its outer elevation has a two-leaf door at left and a substantial stone launder at right extending beyond the gable at the north; a later large lean-to implement shed adjoins at left. The courtyard elevation is asymmetrical, featuring a forestair and platt to first floor at centre right with a blocked door below. A partially blocked wide entrance at right has a relieving arch with a frameless window above. A wide entrance at left has a two-leaf door, with evidence of arch springing from lintel level approximately two metres to its left. A door and window stand at far left with a window at first floor.

The west range is altered and partially ruinous. Its outer elevation has a roofless bay at centre with a large vehicle opening and a window at right. A bay at left (roofless at its outer left) has a door and a door blocked as window, with three roof vents. A bay at right has two windows and a ridge stack. On the courtyard elevation, a partially roofed bay at right has a door and six rooflights. An asbestos-roofed open-ended shed with a lean-to at right angles adjoins at centre. A door with a six-pane fanlight stands in a bay to the left.

The south range is a nine-bay later block at its centre, featuring five segmental cart-arches; the central arch is keystoned and slightly higher, the left arch is blocked, and two windows stand at left with one at right. Nine boarded granary windows occupy the first floor. Slightly advanced original gables stand at far left and right. At far left is a bothy, possibly later extended as the Grieve's house, with a door and window at ground floor and two windows at first floor. A higher gable at far right has a sliding door and a blocked window at ground floor, two windows at first floor, and a blank lean-to recessed at right.

The courtyard elevation of the south range has a segmental cart entrance at centre with a granary window above and three at left, symmetrically arranged. A forestair with timber baluster leads to a two-leaf door at right; a blocked opening at far right retains a former granary opening (now a window) above. A door is blocked as window at outer right. A round-coped rubble wall is advanced at left of the arch, forming an open cattle court with a railed feeding trough advanced from the east range.

Internally, various floors have been removed. A timber trevis and remains of hecks survive in the stable. A boarded bothy (possibly) stands at the south end of the east range on the first floor.

Balbeuchley Steading is one of the earliest improved steadings in the area and occupies an elevated and conspicuous position above the Dichty valley. The steading probably also provided stabling and coach house facilities for Balbeuchley House. It remains listed despite alterations and the ruinous condition of the northwest angle. Outline consent for conversion of the steading to six residential units was granted in December 1989.