Ayton Manse

Ayton Manse is an 18th century building, with significant rebuilding in the late 18th century. Substantial additions and alterations were carried out by the architect James Stevenson between 1882 and 1883, with later improvements made subsequently. The manse is a classically-detailed former residence comprised of a symmetrical, two-storey, three-bay, rectangular-plan block to the front, alongside an earlier two-storey and basement block to the rear that steps down with the slope.

The front elevation is constructed from coursed and stugged cream sandstone, with rendered side elevations and harled rear sections. Throughout, sandstone ashlar dressings are present, some of which are lightly droved. A base course is found on the front entrance block, along with moulded eaves beneath overhanging, bracketed eaves to the front and sides. Narrow quoin strips are present on the entrance block, with plain margins defining the window surrounds. The windows feature sandstone mullions and projecting cills, with corbelled brackets to the front and flush detailing at the rear.

The south-east (entrance) elevation features a step up to a timber panelled front door, complete with a plate glass fanlight above. The door is set within a surround of flanking pilasters, a frieze of triglyphs and guttae, and a surmounting pediment. Tripartite windows are found at ground floor level in the outer left and right bays, with single windows in all bays on the first floor.

The south-west (side) elevation shows the entrance block to the right, with single windows at both floors offset to the left of centre. A lower wing is recessed to the left, featuring a single window at ground and first floor in the right bay, a single basement window centrally, a small window offset to the left at ground level, and a boarded timber basement door to the outer left.

The north-west (rear) elevation is a three-bay design. A timber panelled door is centrally positioned at basement level, topped with a two-pane fanlight and a plain surround with a bracketed, corniced canopy above. A single window is centrally positioned at ground level, alongside a larger stair window aligned at first floor. Single windows are found at all floors in the outer left and right bays, with a later, narrower window offset to the left of centre at first floor.

The north-east (side) elevation again presents the entrance block to the left, with single windows at both floors offset to the right of centre. A recessed lower wing is situated to the right, with single windows at all floors in the left bay, and blocked single windows at ground and first floor in the right bay.

Most windows contain plate glass and four-pane glazing within timber sash and case frames. The roof is grey slate, slightly bell-cast and piended, with swept and coped wallhead stacks topped with various circular cans. Rainwater goods are predominantly replacements.

The interior was uninspected in 1998.

Low coped walls enclose the site to the front, featuring full-width, spearheaded iron railings above. Taller, rubble quadrant walls flank the entrance, with arched coping. Tapering, circular-plan iron gatepiers support two-leaf, spearheaded iron gates with integral decorative panels.