New Mains, Douglas

New Mains is an estate complex dated 1838, comprising stables, workshops, barns and associated living accommodation. The complex is arranged around a square courtyard, with a single-storey square block positioned within. A further building sits to the south east, and cottages are arranged to the south.

The main buildings are constructed of stugged ashlar with polished dressings. The symmetrical northwest facade features a central, two-stage tower with a blocked segmental-headed pend and three round-headed openings. Two of these openings are blind. Above the cill course of the lower openings is a decorative panel displaying the Douglas arms, the date 1838, and an inscription reading "Erected by Archibald Lord Douglas." A cornice and bell-cast slate roof top the tower. The tower is flanked by three-bay wings, with additional projecting end bays forming the ranges. The southwest elevation includes two three-bay houses to the left and three broad bays to the right. The northeast elevation presents a three-bay house to the right, a five-bay store with a centrally placed segmental-headed entrance, and a re-set datestone dating to 1693, displaying the Douglas arms and a later inscription. A later shed has been added to the left. The rear southwest elevation features a central entrance to the courtyard, flanked by five-bay blocks, each containing a series of segmental-headed cart sheds with lofts above. The courtyard block has rectangular door and window openings on all sides. Slate roofs are a consistent feature throughout the complex.

To the south of the main buildings, a group of three single-storey and attic, three-bay cottages are arranged symmetrically in a U-plan and date to circa 1838. These are of stugged ashlar with polished margins. The central cottage has a broad, advanced gabled porch with a single sash window, and a door in the re-entrant angle. Mullioned windows are located in the outer bays. Dormer windows are visible in the wallhead, including two gabled dormers and a smaller central dormer. The cottages are linked by two narrow bays, providing access to two centre-doored cottages. Sash windows and two piended dormers are present. End stacks and slate roofs complete the appearance of these cottages.

The manager’s house, dated 1838, is an L-plan, single-storey and attic building. It is constructed of stugged ashlar with polished dressings and chamfered margins. The northwestern entrance front is symmetrical, with three bays; a hoodmoulded door with a fanlight is set within a half-piended advanced central bay. Plate glass sash windows are fitted with hood-moulds. A half-piended slate roof and octagonal end stacks are present. The northeast elevation features lying-pane glazing at ground floor and plate-glass sashes in the attic. A low, recessed, three-bay wing is attached to the left.

A further building to the southeast includes an asymmetrical range of three cottages. The cottage to the right is single-storey and three bays, with a door and window in a modern advanced central bay, with a shed returning at right angles to form an L-plan. The central cottage is two-storey and four bays, with three advanced bays including a central gabled porch, and two pigeon lofts flanking a mullioned first-floor window. A single bay is to the left. The cottage to the left is two-storey and three bays with a central door located behind a modern porch; windows are in the outer bays. Sash windows with lying-pane glazing are present on the ground floor, while the first floor features windows with piended dormer heads. Ridge stacks and a piended slate roof complete this building.