Blairesk Hall

Attributed to William Playfair, 1819; extended 1830-60, repaired Simpson & Brown, 1995-2000. Single storey, basements and attic. Picturesque Jacobethan villa. Coursed squared rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings; band course; raised long and short quoins; overhanging eaves and mutuled cornice.

PRINCIPAL (N) ELEVATION: 7-bay open worked loggia to right on fluted timber columns, terracotta balustrade, stone parapet; stone entrance platt over basement area, central 2-leaf front door, flanking columns, plain pediment, later chimney above. Tripartite mullioned and transomed windows flanking; to left, east wing extension, two 12-pane sash and case windows, left blind; terracotta balustrade to front.

W ELEVATION: replacement semi-glazed door at basement, to left sash window, to right replacement fixed glazed window; string course; large semi-circular headed window to right, smaller one to left, shaped dormer above; balustraded steps and terrace to far left.

S ELEVATION: steps down to left to 2-storey main house with attic; altered door to basement left, small multi-light window to centre, 12-pane sash and case window to right; 2 oriels to principal floor; 3 curvilinear dormers to attic, central nepus dormer pre-dates 2 smaller flanking dormers, each containing 12-pane sash and case windows; E wing, 2 sash and case windows; advanced basement, door at centre, fixed fanlight above; projecting wing to right, tripartite window with cast-iron mullions over 3 single lights, twin windows below; blind wall to left return.

E ELEVATION: to E wing, small window bottom right, chimney stack, blocked in at base; barred window at 2nd storey to right return; twin windows to ground floor, smaller windows below; skylight and flat-roof in re-entrant angle; door to adjoining exterior outhouses and terracotta balustered steps to front elevation.

Timber sash and case windows, except oriels early 20th century steel replacements; glazed skylights. Piended and platformed slate roof, stepped blocking course and wallhead stacks. Replacement rainwater goods, dated 1995 at hoppers.

INTERIOR: Tudor gothic plasterwork and joinery to ground floor entrance hall and principal rooms; variety of 19th century chimney-pieces; colonnaded screen to attic storey carries Moorish arches; elaborate cast-iron stair balusters and stone stairs.

GATEPIERS, BOUNDARY WALLS, TERRACING AND FOUNTAIN: series of terracotta balustraded terraces to rear of the house. Matching terracotta fountain supported by three dolphins, seashell detail surround; all by J and M Craig, Kilmarnock, circa 1860. High stone boundary walls, square ashlar gate piers on Polton Road.