Old Barskimming

Old Barskimming is a large, classically-detailed country house built in 1882 by James Maitland Wardrop and Charles Reid. It incorporates elements of an earlier house dating back to the later 18th century, with additions made around 1815 by David Hamilton, and some fenestration and internal alterations carried out in 1920. The house is rectangular in plan and has three storeys, with a single-storey service court at the rear.

The exterior is constructed of painted stugged and snecked red rubble, with ashlar dressings. The service court features ashlar rendered and lined to resemble ashlar, and the western pavilion also has this finish. The roof is slate-covered. Architectural details include a base course, a string course to the first floor, a wallhead course, a corniced parapet, balustrades with angle dies, and corniced stacks. The windows are a mix of sash and case frames with 2, 4, and 12 panes, and leaded lights with multi-pane top-hoppers on the ground floor. Cast-iron rainwater goods are also present.

The north (front) elevation is slightly asymmetrical, with the central bay advanced and featuring a Greek Doric tetrastyle portico. The west elevation has an advanced bay with a distinctive facetted window and a pedimented gable above the parapet. The pavilion to the right includes a blocked round-headed arch and a recessed block with three windows. The east elevation mirrors the west, with similar features and a symmetrical arrangement. The south elevation showcases a single-storey service block with a round-arched carriage entrance and a bellcote, alongside various doors, windows, and blocked arches.

The interior contains a central well stair with a columned landing and compartmentalised cove ceilings with astragalled top lights. The ground floor was remodelled in 1920, replacing the original staircase and most of the fireplaces.