Tarbat House And Stables

Tarbat House is a substantial classical mansion, likely designed by James McLeran of Edinburgh and built around 1787. It is constructed of fine tooled ashlar stone with polished ashlar dressings, the rear elevation being harled. The house is three storeys high with an attic, arranged over seven bays. The central three bays are slightly advanced and crowned by a pediment, incorporating a corniced and pilastered doorpiece on the ground floor, with a double-leafed panelled door. A band course runs above the ground-floor level, and a later side entrance is set within a projecting porch on the east elevation. The long first-floor windows are corniced and linked by a moulded cill band, with similar windows on the three-bay east and west return elevations. Smaller windows are present on the second floor, and all windows feature moulded architectural details, except those on the rear elevation. The rear elevation features slightly advanced outer bays and a central tripartite first-floor half landing, with a Venetian window in a similar position on the second floor, both illuminating the stairwell; cill bands are also present.

The windows are predominantly 12-pane sash windows; however, six-pane windows on the second floor (specifically the four right-hand windows facing the front) have been replaced with casements. There are two segmental-headed dormers on the front elevation, and three similar dormers on the east and west elevations. The building is finished with a moulded and dentilled eaves cornice, some original fluted lead rainwater pipes, four symmetrical corniced stacks, and a shallow piended platform slate roof.

Inside, the stairwell and landings are characterized by fluted columns and pilasters, incorporating cast-iron stair balusters with palmette detailing. Decorative plaster ceilings and cornices are present, along with panelled doors and window shutters.

To the rear of the mansion stands the stable and carriage house, originally a symmetrical six-bay structure. It is harled with ashlar margins, and was initially five bays, with a central, pedimented bay containing a round-headed carriage entrance and a round-headed loft door above, flanked by two long, similarly detailed windows. A further pedimented bay has been added to the east gable, mirroring the original detailing; a blank round-headed margined recess is also present on the east gable. The entire stable block is covered by a piended slate roof. The stable lacks original interior fittings.

The estate incorporates fragments of New Tarbat House, which was built around 1690 by Sir George Mackenzie, Viscount Tarbat.