Belleisle Hotel, Doonfoot Road, Ayr

Belleisle Hotel, Ayr

A substantial Scottish Baronial mansion dating from circa 1787, substantially reconstructed (probably by William Burn) in 1829, with further additions circa 1800 and 1895, and 20th century alterations and additions. The building is constructed of coursed sandstone with ashlar dressings, and comprises two storeys with basement and attic.

The principal 11-bay entrance front faces north-west and is divided into two sections of 6 and 5 bays. The right-hand 5-bay section features an entrance set within a gabled bay, flanked by piers and balusters, approached by steps. Above the entrance is a Jacobean pilastered and pedimented doorpiece dated 1829, decorated with consoles and dentils, with a 2-leaf timber door below. A mullioned and transomed 3-light window is positioned above at first-floor level, with a shield motif in a square panel to the gablehead. A slim conical-roofed circular turret projects from the left return of the main entrance, featuring arched arrowslit openings at ground and first-floor levels and a single opening at attic level; flanking windows with infilled openings are present to the left and attic. The left-hand 6-bay section contains an advanced crowstepped gabled canted bay with 2-light windows at basement, ground and first-floor levels, topped by a ball-finialled balustraded parapet with an anchor plaque to the gablehead. A second slim conical-roofed circular turret with a 2-leaf timber door, 3-light letterbox fanlight and arched arrowslit window adjoins to the right. A shallow advanced pedimented bay with 2-light windows appears to the outer left, with foliage detailing to the pediment. Regular fenestration comprises mullioned windows, 2-light openings at basement and ground floors, and single windows at first floor with pedimented dormer heads. String courses appear at ground and first-floor levels. Crowstepped gables with finials mark the roofline.

The south-east rear elevation is 11 bays with exposed basement. A modern flat-roofed single-storey section spans 3 bays to the left, with a 2-leaf glazed timber door. Multiple bays contain various window arrangements including transomed and mullioned windows, catslide dormers at attic level, and arrowslit openings to the two circular turrets present on this elevation. A pierced parapet with ball-finialled piers terminates one section. Another modern addition adjoins the outer right.

The south-west side elevation comprises 6 bays grouped 1-1-1-3, with balustraded steps to an advanced gabled bay. Fenestration includes canted transomed and mullioned windows, arrowslit openings, and pedimented dormer heads. A corbelled stack crowns one gable apex.

The north-east elevation was not visible at the time of survey in 1999.

The roof is slate with crowstepped skews, tall coped stacks at wallhead, gablehead and ridge with circular cans, and rooflights. Cast-iron rainwater goods are present throughout. Windows are of various timber types, including sash-and-case examples with 4-, 8-, 12- and 24-pane configurations, along with modern plate glass.

The interior contains elaborate Jacobean plasterwork dating from circa 1830 in the corridor-hall, interspersed with work commissioned from James Davidson by the Coats family illustrating poems by Robert Burns. Features include a panelled ceiling, figurative friezes, elaborate figure consoles, pilaster strips and a dominating highly intricate fireplace.

A mounting block stands to the left of the principal entrance. Piers and a balustraded boundary wall flank both the principal entrance and the south-west entrance.