Including Screen Wall, Ayrshire Management Centre, Craigie

Ayrshire Management Centre (Including Screen Wall), Craigie

A Grade A listed Palladian country house of the earlier 18th century, substantially developed circa 1770 and again in the 19th century. The building comprises a 2-storey corps-de-logis with attic and basement, two 2-storey wings, basement and ground floor quadrant links, and pavilions with a bow to the rear. The main 7-bay central section dates from the earlier 18th century; the pavilions, screen walls and southern bow are circa 1770. A pedimented porch was added possibly by W H Playfair around 1837. Later alterations and a major restoration by Robert McPhail took place in 1997.

The building is constructed of coursed sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings and raised quoins. It features an eaves course, cornice and blocking course, with a band course dividing the basement and ground floor on the north elevation of the main block, and cill courses to the 3-bay bow on the south.

The north entrance elevation features a square pavilion porch with a coupled column pedimented portico of unfluted Greek Doric columns with mutuled cornice. A 2-leaf timber door is set within, with a balustraded parapet and urns to corner angles. The 7-bay corps-de-logis behind has an advanced and pedimented 3 central bays with regular fenestration at basement, ground and first floor levels. A round-arched attic window occupies the pediment. The quadrant links on either side have basement and ground floor openings with steps leading to glazed timber doors at first floor level to the outer bays; the central bays are blind. The wings show regular 3-bay fenestration, with blind basement bays in certain positions. An additional 2-storey wing to the left has a glazed timber door to the outer left, and a 2-bay recessed single storey wing sits to the outer left with a blind opening and round-arched narrow opening.

The south rear elevation displays an exposed basement. A central 3-bay bow features a glazed timber door at its centre with a split letterbox fanlight, flanked by single windows. The bow has regular fenestration at ground and first floor, with ball finials to the narrow parapet on either side. The main block behind the bow shows two flanking windows at each level. Multiple links and returns radiate from this elevation, each with regular fenestration. Notable openings include glazed timber doors and letterbox fanlights in various bays, and a roundel opening to one quadrant link. The eastern and western side elevations show minimal fenestration, with round-arched narrow openings and blind openings where present.

Windows throughout are predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case designs. The roof is of piended slate with lead ridges, and features corniced wallhead and ridge stacks with circular cans. Cast-iron rainwater goods complete the external fittings.

The interior includes fireplaces of timber, composition and marble, notably with tiled surrounds. The main staircase displays moulded balusters and a timber handrail. Decorative ceiling plasterwork and cornices ornament the principal rooms, and several basement rooms are vaulted.

A balustraded screen wall stands to the entrance elevation.