Castle Toward Residential School

Castle Toward Residential School, dated 1821 and significantly altered around 1921 by Francis W Deas, is a large and impressive, two-storey with attic and basement, castellated Gothic Revival mansion house. It is situated on the southerly point of the Cowal Peninsula. The building is constructed of stugged, pale sandstone ashlar, with earlier sections exhibiting a slightly warmer colour. Cill courses and hood mouldings are present, along with turreted corner angles and crenellated parapets. A raised terrace faces south.

The principal, or south, elevation features a turreted porte-cochere on the southeast corner, with a square tower behind it containing a large pointed-arch window. A slightly advanced bay is centrally positioned, displaying a corbelled-out stone balcony at the first floor level. A projecting wing extends to the far left, featuring canted windows at the basement, ground, and first floors.

The east elevation displays a pair of moulded shields bearing the dates and initials KF/JS. A rounded, castellated tower situated at the northeast corner includes a mullioned and transomed window. A small octagonal tower provides access to the rear courtyard via a segmental-arched entrance. A tall, machicolated octagonal tower is centrally located on the north, or rear, elevation. The west elevation exhibits a bifurcated T-plan staircase with a stone balustrade rising to a large recessed loggia, featuring three four-centre arches and a crenellated parapet, set between advanced square-plan towers.

The majority of windows are timber sash and case, with 2-pane glazing. Pointed-arch windows incorporate octagonal leaded glass. The roofs are slated, concealed behind the crenellated parapets. Octagonal chimneystacks are arranged in groups of six.

The interior has been remodelled with primarily early 20th-century decorative work displaying a variety of historicist classical styles, although some original Gothic Revival elements remain. Plaster rib-vaulting in the southeast porch, hall, and staircase dates back to the early 19th century. The former music/drawing room showcases ornate Louis XVI decorative plasterwork, fluted mouldings, and brass fittings. The library features an Adamesque, segmental plasterwork ceiling and full-height timber bookcases. The ballroom has a heavy and ornate timber Jacobean fireplace. A curved timber staircase is located in the east range, while a large stair with a central well and upper loggia is in the west wing. Marble fireplaces are found on the ground floor; primarily timber fireplaces are on the first and second floors. Timber panelling is widespread, alongside extensive parquet flooring. The basement is finished with stone flags.