Gate Piers, Blairesk Hall

Blairesk Hall is a picturesque Jacobethan villa, likely attributed to William Playfair and dated to 1819, with extensions added between 1830 and 1860. The house was repaired by Simpson & Brown between 1995 and 2000. It is a single storey building with basements and an attic. The exterior is constructed of coursed squared rubble with ashlar quoins and dressings, incorporating a band course, raised long and short quoins, overhanging eaves, and a mutuled cornice.

The principal (north) elevation features a seven-bay open-worked loggia to the right, supported by fluted timber columns, a terracotta balustrade, and a stone parapet. A stone entrance platt covers the basement area, leading to a central two-leaf front door framed by columns and a plain pediment; a later chimney is situated above. Tripartite mullioned and transomed windows flank the entrance, and an east wing extension is present to the left, featuring two 12-pane sash and case windows, the left one being blind, and a terracotta balustrade.

The west elevation includes a replacement semi-glazed door at basement level, a sash window to the left, and a replacement fixed glazed window to the right. A string course runs along the wall, and a large semi-circular headed window sits to the right, with a smaller one to the left. A shaped dormer is positioned above, with balustraded steps and a terrace extending to the far left.

The south elevation descends via steps to the left, leading to the main two-storey house with an attic. An altered door is located at the basement level to the left, alongside a small multi-light window and a 12-pane sash and case window to the right. Two oriels are present on the principal floor, and three curvilinear dormers punctuate the attic; the central Nepus dormer predates the two smaller flanking dormers, each containing 12-pane sash and case windows. The east wing has two sash and case windows, and an advanced basement has a door with a fixed fanlight above. A projecting wing to the right includes a tripartite window with cast-iron mullions over three single lights and twin windows below, with a blind wall to the left return.

The east elevation of the east wing showcases a small window bottom right and a chimney stack, with the base blocked in. A barred window is on the second storey return, and twin windows are on the ground floor, with smaller windows below. A skylight and flat roof are situated in the re-entrant angle, with a door leading to adjoining exterior outhouses and terracotta balustered steps towards the front elevation.

Most windows are timber sash and case, except for early 20th-century steel replacement oriels. Glazed skylights are present. The roof is piended and platformed, with slate coverings, a stepped blocking course, and wallhead stacks. Replacement rainwater goods are dated 1995.

The interior features Tudor gothic plasterwork and joinery in the ground floor entrance hall and principal rooms. A variety of 19th-century chimney-pieces are present. A colonnaded screen to the attic storey incorporates Moorish arches, while an elaborate cast-iron stair balusters and stone stairs stand out.

To the rear of the house, a series of terracotta balustraded terraces extend outwards. A matching terracotta fountain, supported by three dolphins and featuring seashell detail, was created by J and M Craig of Kilmarnock circa 1860. The property is enclosed by high stone boundary walls, with square ashlar gate piers on Polton Road.