Historic Scotland - Stewarton

Segmental-arched pend to SE elevation leading to courtyard. Later box dormer to
farmhouse, incorporated in SE range.
FURTHER DESCRIPTION:
A tan polygonal tower within SE range to left of farmhouse. Coursed, squared and
snecked sandstone rubble with ashlar margins. Deep, moulded cornice. 2 armorial
shields, one with inscription (see Notes).
Inset clocks to 4 faces with narrow round-arched louvred openings above. Tapered
polygonal grey slated roof with skylights. Interior with cantilevered spiral staircase with
metal balusters and handrail
OUTBUILDINGS: L-plan byre to NE with part-glazed, sliding timber doors.
Slated roof with regularly spaced skylights. Rubble SE range with piended roof to North
end. Predominantly replacement windows. Grey slates. Flat skews. Ridge stacks.
REFERENCES:
1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1854-8. New Statistical Account, Vol V1845, p734.
James Paterson, History of Ayrshire, Vol ll, 1852 p463. Michael Davis, The Castles and
Mansions of Ayrshire, 1991, p97 & 268.
NOTES:
The distinctive and unusual tower incorporated into this farm forms a prominent landmark
in the area. Reminiscent of an Italian campanile, it was built by John Cheape, a sea
captain turned agricultural improver who bought this site in the 1820s. Cheape was
particularly fund of Sicily and he may have taken the inspiration fur the design of the
tower from bell towers seen on his travels. The inscription to one of the armorial shields
on the tower reads:
"designed and erected by Captain John Cheape, MDCCCXLIll".
When he bought the site, Cheape built a new house on it in 1828, in place of
the previous Muirhead Farm The house, called Girgenti after a town in Sicily, was
described in the New Statistical Account as being ''built in rather an uncommon style"
and was demolished in the 1940s. Girgento is an older name fur the current Sicilian town
of Agrigento. The current Girgenti Farm is located in the former offices of this original
Girgenti House which lay to the East.
Local knowledge suggests that he built the tower to enable him to look out to sea.
Cheape died in 1850, leaving his house to the five principle Infirmaries of Scotland.
List description updated as part of Stewarton Parish resurvey, 2009.
Category changed from B to C(S), 2009.
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