East Lodge, Airthrey Castle

East Lodge, built in 1809 by William Stirling (senior), serves as a picturesque gate lodge to the Airthrey Castle estate. It is an irregular two-story structure with a low, octagonal tower to the south, featuring a single-story porch; a three-story, circular stair tower to the north; and a single-story rectangular block to the rear (east). The lodge is constructed of sandstone ashlar, with a slightly set location north of the gateway, linked by a boundary wall of coursed rubble and corresponding octagonal ashlar gatepiers. There is a molded base course and molded string courses at the first, second, and third floors of the porch and stair tower. Crenellated eaves run along the roof, with corbelled detailing, and a corniced eaves course to the single-story block at the rear. An ogee arched doorway leads to the porch, and the windows are architraved with hood moulds, some being narrow and round-arched; the first floor of the octagonal tower has a bipartite round arched surround. Later blockwork now fills the windows, and a flat felted roof has been added. Cast-iron rainwater goods are also present.

This lodge is an important survival from the original designed landscape of the Airthrey Castle estate, demonstrating high-quality stonework and a well-proportioned design that has remained largely unaltered. William Stirling, a prolific architect of the early 19th century, gained commissions through family connections with estates like Braco and Gartmore, including Airthrey Castle. Though replaced as principal architect in 1807, he remained the principal contractor, and his son, William Stirling (junior), then became associated with David Hamilton's office. The design shows influences of Hamilton’s work at Cawder House, seen in the confident arrangement of elements and the quality of the stonework. The lodge's windows were sealed and a felt roof installed in the later 20th century.