Kirkdale Steading Slaughterhouse

Detached and sited to N of steading, ruins of tall rectangular building known as the Slaughter House, though it is named only as 'ruin' in 1st edn OS maps. The Slaughterhouse is closely linked stylistically to both Kirkdale Steading and Kirkdale Bridge so is likely to be to the designs of Robert Adam, circa 1787. Rubble masonry with dressed granite quoins, finely dressed granite band course at two thirds height. The roofline has been pitched with gables to N and S. Now (1988) roofless with gablehead to N fallen. To S, square-headed door to ground, rubble voussoired oculus above,all set in recessed arched panel. To N, near full height rubble voussoired round arched opening. Part of finely cut cornice at eaves remains.

The Adam plans in the Soane Museum were for a much more ambitious steading. Kirkdale has many similarties with the octagonal steading at Culzean, though of course is much simpler in detail.(Historic Scotland)