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RCAHMS Threatened Buildings Survey 2009
Event ID 884516
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type RCAHMS Threatened Buildings Survey 2009
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/884516
The Erskine family acquired the Cardross estate after the Reformation. The earliest surviving portion of the existing building is the substantial late 16th century three storey L-plan tower house with four storey tower at the southwest. An Erskine family lintol dated 1598 survives on the tower along with one ceiling of the same date. There is little other evidence to precisely date this tower house that does not already appear in MacGibbon and Ross.
The tower house was extended to the west, possibly in 1747 as this date appears on another lintol on the tower. A smart classical doorcase was later added to the south front with a new hall inserted through the vaulted lower storey leading to a new staircase. Wings were added to the northeast and northwest flanking the staircase. These contain a library and a principal bedroom suite. The first floor windows lighting the drawing and dining rooms were probably enlarged at this time. The Buildings of Scotland volume on Stirling and Central Scotland suggests c.1790 for this work. At some point after this date the entrance front was moved to the north and a flat roofed entrance hall was inserted between the earlier wings. The Dictionary of Scottish Architects records William Stirling I as the architect of this work, c.1803, whereas the Buildings of Scotland volume dates the new entrance front to 1820. William Stirling was a distant kinsman of the Erskines of Cardross and could have been responsible for both phases of work, which also included a new stable block, for David Erskine.
In 1922 Jamieson & Arnott made minor alterations and additions including installation of a Mackenzie and Moncur central heating system. The drawings for this are held at RCAHMS in the Sydney Mitchell & Wilson Collection (SMW 1920/4/1-4).
Information from RCAHMS (STG), 2009
