View of steading courtyard from SW.

Description View of steading courtyard from SW.

Date 23/6/1999

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number D 46971 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 764991

Scope and Content Dabton Stables, Drumlanrig Estate, Dumfries & Galloway, from the south-west These stable buildings, built of local pink sandstone, are constructed around a quadrangular, partly cobbled courtyard. On the north side (left) is a plain, low range with some square- and round-headed openings to the courtyard, and kennels at the west end (extreme left). To the east (right) is a pair of two-storeyed, piend-roofed ranges, the north block (centre) having round-arched openings (some now blocked up) and some of the original sash windows with 12-paned glazing. The main entry, between these two ranges, is guarded by a pair of sturdy square gate-piers. The stable block was designed to reflect the wealth and standing of the chamberlain, an important official who was appointed by the duke to manage his household and estate. It housed his carriage and riding horses, both expensive commodities and important status symbols, as well as his elegant carriages and pack of hunting dogs. The complex was constructed on a quadrangular plan with a fine exterior which screened the activities associated with the care of animals. The round-headed openings were probably carriage houses, and the stable block, accommodating up to 12 horses, was in the west range. The complex also provided accommodation for grooms and stable lads, tack rooms and hay lofts, workrooms for smiths and wrights, and may even have had a henhouse. It probably also housed carts and draught horses, although the latter would have had inferior accommodation to the riding and carriage horses. Dabton Stables, a formal court of stable buildings and kennels, were built c.1820 for the chamberlain (factor or estate manager) of the Duke of Queensberry's Drumlanrig estate. The buildings are contemporary with Dabton House, built for the chamberlain and to house the estate offices, and are probably by the same London architect, William Atkinson (c.1773-1839). Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Medium Colour negative

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