Balmanno Castle

Balmanno Castle was built between 1570 and 1580 for George Auchinleck. It features an L-plan layout with a 62-foot tower located in the re-entrant angle. The castle is four storeys high, with a vaulted ground floor and a wheel stair leading to the second floor level, topped by a corbelled turret stair. Around 1800, the castle underwent alterations and was restored by Sir R.S. Lorimer between 1916 and 1921, with interior work done in the Scots 17th century style. The turret stair was heightened and given a bell roof, along with other modifications. There is a single-storey and attic addition, which includes a further small recent addition by I.G. Lindsay. The property also features rubble-built garden walls, a garden house with a forestair and bell roof, and a gatehouse designed in a V-plan with dormer heads, all in a neo 17th century style. Notable craftsmanship includes plasterwork by Sam Wilson and Thomas Beattie, ironwork by Thomas Hadden, and roof ridge beasts by Louis Deuchars.