Glenluce, Balkail

NX15NE 30 19988 57397

See also:

NX25NW 89 NX 20016 57348 Dovecot

NX25NW 90 NX 20051 57310 Kennels

Balkail, apparently an 18th-century house, was demolished in 1961 leaving only a fragment of its walled garden in the glen on the S side of the village of Glenluce. In 1899 Wilson described the oldest portion of the house as, 'a good specimen of an old-fashioned house of a laird'. In 1704 the property belonged to the Ross family.

Visited by RCAHMS (PC) March 1986.

NMRS WG/330, 351.

NMRS REFERENCE:

Balkail House which was Category C Listed was demolished c. 1960.

Information from Demolitions catalogue held in RCAHMS Library.

EXTERNAL REFERENCE:

Scottish Records Office

Mr. Buchan, architect at Laurencehouse, has been asked to survey Balkail in order to make a plan for making the house 'safe, comfortable and commodious'.

Letter from John Buchan to Robert Cathcart of Genoch.

1775 GD 180/627/4

Alterations to Balkail House.

'I looked into Balcail when I passed and observe your Ladyship has done a great deal. I am afraid the charge will come higher than your ladyship and I was thinking of as there is a great deal more done than imagined.'

Letter from Thomas Smith WS to the Countess of Stair.

1790 GD 135/Box 43/1/5

Alterations to Balkail House.

'Her Ladyship in General approved of your Lordship's alterations only thought taking away the Pillars hurt the Old Dining Room it being too low in the roof for the length. She went into the hothouse and seemed pleased with the Gardener's management'.

Letter from Thomas Smith WS to the Earl of Stair.

1790 GD 135/Box 50/7/1/11

Expense of an addition to Balkail House.

Accounts for building a new room.

1749-1750 GD 135/Box 50/4/3/1-10

(Undated) information in NMRS.