Description

William Stirling, soon after 1821, reworking of 18th century building; altered 20th century. Fine survival of well-detailed 2-storey, 9-bay, piend-roofed Classically-detailed stables range with flatted dwellings above. Arched pend entrance, keystoned round-arched window, ball-finialled open pediment, fine ogee-roofed clock incorporating dovecote, and stone forestair. Snecked whinstone rubble with contrasting red sandstone ashlar dressings, some stugged, and raised margins. Segmental-headed cart arches, voussoirs, 1st floor windows to principal elevation breaking eaves into stone-pedimented dormerheads.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: symmetrical principal elevation to S with slightly advanced pend in pedimented centre bay, ogee-roofed clock to ridge above, regular fenestration in flanking bays and slightly advanced piended outer bays each with boarded timber doors to cart arch below dormerheaded window. Simple, possibly earlier, detail to rear elevation with stone forestair at centre, small openings close to eaves.

INTERIOR: stables with decorative ceramic wall tiles and herringbone floor tiles to cast iron and timber loose boxes.

Small pane glazing patterns in timber sash and case windows. Grey slates. Coped red sandstone stacks and brick stacks. Clock tower with lead roof.

Statement of Interest

B Group with Moncreiffe House, Walled Garden and Ha-Ha, Dairy, Dovecote, Filter Bed and Water Tank, Gamekeeper's Cottage, Garden Cottage, West Lodge and Gate, and East Gate.

The fine Stable Block at Moncreiffe is an important early survival. It is sited a short distance from the main house, and was an integral element of the estate buildings. The Classical detailing reflects the Classical nature of the earlier Moncreiffe House (see below) and the fashion of the time for rational and symmetrical design for stable blocks. The ogee-roofed clock and dovecote may be the top stage of the cupola removed from the old house during 19th century re-roofing. The 1st floor principal elevation windows of the stable block were raised through the eaves into dormerheads in the 20th century.

The high quality design of Moncreiffe Stables reflects both the wealth and status of the owner as well as the important role of the horse in the 19th century. Unlike some examples where ranges away from the house were less well-detailed, this stable block is built to a very high standard, with the entrance range following the fashion derived from the 18th century Whim House 'with the vocabulary of a central entrance identified by a pediment, dome, lantern or tower, then wings to either side ' containing loose boxes. At either end, sometimes pedimented, pavilions contained coach-houses, tack rooms and accommodation above' (Buxbaum pp100-101). These elements were combined by William Stirling at Cambuswallace in 1809 and at Alva House at about the same time as Moncreiffe.

The architect William Stirling (II) practiced from Dunblane with his cousin, also William Stirling (I). Just prior to working at Moncreiffe Stables, William Stirling II had enlarged the stables at Dupplin Castle, Forteviot. Whilst working at the Moncreiffe Estate, he was also enlarging Moncreiffe Inn at Bridge of Earn. His portfolio included Blairgowrie Parish Church in 1824 and Dron Parish Church, 1825.

Moncreiffe House dates from 1962, it replaces a house destroyed by fire in 1957.

List description revised and category changed from C(S) to B 2010.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17838641

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
• 
  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6