Steading (South Range), Carstairs Mains

The steading, built in 1825 and designed by William Burn, originally comprised four ranges around a square courtyard, with a farmhouse adjoining to the south. The westernmost range of the steading has been demolished, but the remaining ranges are largely unchanged externally. The steading is constructed of stugged ashlar with dressed stone, and has piended slate roofs.

The north range is a two-storey, near-symmetrical courtyard elevation with ten bays. A central pediment features a clock face within its tympanum, and a bellcote sits at the apex. Stabling occupies the outer bays, with four cart arches in the centre. Inside the stables are cast-iron columns supporting the stalls. A loft above has regularly placed rectangular windows retaining their original three-pane glazing arrangement, and a timber sliding ventilator grille at the lower level.

The east range is two-storey and seven bays wide, with wide, opposing doors at the north end, possibly serving as a threshing barn. Most internal divisions were removed in 1989, and the openings remain largely unaltered.

The south range is single-storey and eight bays long, with a stack located at the west end. It may have been used as a dairy, calf houses, or feed stores. A doorway has been widened to the east, and the eastern half of the roof is now covered with corrugated sheet metal.

Adjoining the south range is a two-storey, L-plan gabled farmhouse, with a narrow, lean-to porch to the southwest re-entrant corner. The porch is supported by a single Doric column. The gabled ends have canted bay windows on the ground floor. Otherwise, the farmhouse has single-light windows with a hood mould over the ground level. Modern plate glass glazing has been installed, and a flat-roofed dormer sits above the porch. The roof has end coped skews with skew blocks, though only tall diamond stacks remain on the north side.

Despite the demolition of the western range, the steading retains its original character externally. The farmhouse has suffered alterations including the removal of stacks and replacement of glazing, but it remains an important part of the overall composition. Architectural plans for the steadings are held within the National Monuments Record of Scotland.