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Carnell House
Country House (19th Century), Tower House (Medieval)
Site Name Carnell House
Classification Country House (19th Century), Tower House (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Karnell; Cairn Hill; Cairnhill
Canmore ID 42838
Site Number NS43SE 2
NGR NS 46717 32223
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/42838
- Council South Ayrshire
- Parish Craigie
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Kyle And Carrick
- Former County Ayrshire
NS43SE 2 46717 32223.
(NS 4671 3222) Tower (NR)
OS 6" map (1970)
One end of the mansion of Carnell incorporates a well-preserved tower (called the Tower of Cairnhill in the ONB and described as about 40ft high with embattled walls). A marriage stone dated 1576 is now placed inside. The other end embodies a smaller building of later date with a staircase tower and cap house. The space between is filled with a Victorian mansion of which original drawings exist, dated 1843. Additions were made in 1871.
SDD List 1963; Name Book 1857; N Tranter 1965
Originally called 'Karnell', the name changed to 'Cairnhill' and is now 'Carnell'. Old paintings at Carnell show a house adjacent to the old tower; this house was superseded by the present building. The stone dated 1576 possibly came from it (Mrs Findlay-Hamilton, owner).
A typical 15th century keep is incorporated in the W part of an entirely modern mansion, and on the E of the keep, within the main building, are fragments of possibly 16th century work, probably the remains of the older house mentioned above.
Visited by OS (JLD) 11 June 1954
No change to previous field report.
Visited by OS (EGC) 13 February 1962
No change: still a private residence of the Findlay family. The ground floor of the tower is vaulted.
Visited by OS (JRL) 24 June 1982
NS43SE 2.00 46717 32223
NS43SE 2.01 46927 32177 Garden House
NS43SE 2.02 46594 32313 Bridge
NS43SE 2.03 46995 31920 Gardener's Cottage
NS43SE 2.04 46940 32148 Walled Garden
NS43SE 2.05 46288 32243 The Lodge
NS43SE 2.06 46957 32106 Water Garden and Pond
NS43SE 2.07 46889 31945 Home Farm
NS43SE 6 46930 31978 Stable Block
NMRS REFERENCE:
Owner: Col. Ferrier Hamilton
Architect: William Burn 1843 (Alterations and additions to tower) - drawings in house not signed
James Cairns (Stables 1907)
