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Cardross House
Country House (18th Century), Tower House (16th Century)
Site Name Cardross House
Classification Country House (18th Century), Tower House (16th Century)
Canmore ID 45360
Site Number NS69NW 1
NGR NS 60463 97659
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/45360
- Council Stirling
- Parish Port Of Menteith
- Former Region Central
- Former District Stirling
- Former County Perthshire
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
NS69NW 1.00 60463 97659
NS69NW 1.01 60602 97873 Stables
NS69NW 1.02 61106 97803 Burial Ground
NS69NW 1.03 60448 97549 Walled Garden
NS69NW 1.04 60613 98168 and NS 60623 98084 Sundials
(NS 6048 9766) Cardross (NR)
OS 6" map (1958)
Cardross House appears to date from three periods. Constructed as a comparatively small L-planned tower-house probably dating from the early 16th century, an eastern extension of three storeys was added in the same century, and the original building heightened. Corner turrets were then added to tower and extension.
In the 18th century an entirely new N front was added together with a modern domestic building to the west. The windows were probably enlarged at this period and the entire roof line renewed. Lintels over windows
on the S. front are inscribed:'DE and MH 1598' and IE and AJ 1747.
N Tranter 1963
As described and illustrated by Tranter. It is now almost impossible to trace the outline of the original L-shaped tower-house.
Visited by OS (WDJ) 17 October 1968.
REFERENCE
Memoir of Sir D Erskine of Cardross edited by Mrs S Erskine 1926, p 26-34 - description and photograph of Cardross House
NMRS REFERENCE
Plans of Cardross House,1922, Dick Peddie & MacKay, Edinburgh, 13 Young Street
Attic 2, Bin 35, Bag 1
Plans, alterations to Cardross House, Lake of Menteith, 1922, Dick Peddie & MacKay, Edinburgh, Sydney Mitchell & Wilson, 13 Young Street
Attic 2, Bin 4, Bag 1
Photographic Survey (May 1962)
Photographic survey by the Scottish National Buildings Record in May 1962.
Field Visit
RCAHMS visited Cardross House on 26 May 2009. A photographic record of the building was not possible at that time.
Information from RCAHMS (STG), 2009
