Farm Steading, Markle Mains

Markle Mains is an earlier to mid-19th century improvement steading that features few later alterations. It includes two E-plan cattle courts, with a long range to the northwest and cattle court jambs to the southeast, alongside a threshing mill that abuts the southwest. There is also an additional U-plan cattle court to the southwest.

The structure is built from random whinstone rubble with broad droving and sandstone dressings, topped with crowstepped gables and a pantiled roof. Opposite the farmhouse, there is a cartshed with a loft, although the cart openings have been significantly altered. A stone forestair at the center leads to the loft door, which interrupts the eaves of the piended slated roof, with windows flanking the loft.

The two cattle courts forming the E-plan have been extensively modernized and re-roofed. A former horsemill, which is now filled in, abuts the west side and has a stack projecting to the south, with its base still remaining. Circa 1873, piend-roofed E-plan cattle courts were added to the west, featuring an unusual cantilevered roof and feed openings to the courts. The gatepiers were removed to allow for vehicular access. Additionally, there is a piend-roofed cartshed with two iron pillars to the south, dating from a similar period.