Stables, Cowhill House

Dated 1816, the stables at Cowhill House have largely been converted for domestic and garage use. They consist of three two-storey ranges arranged around a quadrangular courtyard, which is now closed to the east by a high wall situated above the River Nith. The stables are built of rubble with ashlar or modern concrete margins, and rusticated quoins at the west, all painted.

The west elevation is symmetrical, with seven bays. Advanced outer bays and a central entrance tower give articulation to the façade, both featuring simple pedimented gables. The entrance tower has full-height angle pilaster strips and a rusticated segmental arch to the pend, incorporating a Venetian window and a crest above. A dovecot is set within the gable and surmounted by a weathervane finial. Modern masonry flues flank the tower, and glazed segmental-arched former carriage houses are located in each outer bay, with a Venetian window inserted above (likely replacing oculus windows, as the arched stones were re-used). The upper window margins of the remaining bays are linked to an eaves band. Small-paned glazing is present throughout. A 1958 crest, possibly indicating a conversion date, is situated in the courtyard above the segmental-arched pend. Other courtyard openings are square-headed. Some upper windows break through the eaves and are finished with gabled dormer heads. A garage was added to the north range in 1915 by Peddie and Forbes Smith. The stacks are mostly modern, but corniced, and the roofs are covered in graded slates. A detached, low-range is situated to the north.

While the building has undergone extensive alterations, these have been carried out sympathetically, and it retains its category B group value.