Historic Scotland - Stewarton

DESCRIPTION:
Early 19th century, with later extension to NE. Single-storey, now T-plan lodge with
distinctive deeply overhanging eaves supported by single cast iron columns forming
corner verandahs. Squared and snecked rubble with ashlar margins. Wide canted bay
window to West.
Non-traditional 4-pane, top-opening windows. Shallow,part-piended roof with 5 section s
over bay window. Grey slates. Red brick ridge stack.
REFERENCES:
1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map 1854-9. New Statistical Account, Vol V 1845, p734. M Davis,
The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire, 1991, p268. Hugh Macintosh, The Origin and History of
Glasgow Streets, 1902 on www.gdLcdlr.atrath.ac.uk (accessed 20-10-08).
NOTES:
Comprising distinctive cast iron columns and corner verandahs, this lodge now marks the
entrance to Girgenti Farm (listed separately). It farms one of a pair of lodges which were
built originally for the now-demolished Girgenti House. Map evidence suggests that the
lodge was originally square-plan, with verandahs at each corner, each supported by a
single cast iron column.
The shallow roof is distinctive and the unusual design marks this lodge out as a building
of special interest.
The land here, together with an existing farm called Muirhead, was acquired in the late
1820s by an Army Captain, John Cheape.
Cheape built a new house on the site and renamed the house and farm Girgenti after a
town in Sicily of which he was particularly fond. The house was described in the New
Statistical Account as being ''built in rather an uncommon style" and it was demolished in
the 1940s.
The lodges were probably built around the same time as the house. Cheape live in the
house from 1829 until his death in 1850.
List description updated as part of Stewarton Parish resurvey, 2009. Category
changed from B to C(S), 2009.
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