Property description
Tour House enjoys a secluded setting amidst grounds of approx 15 acres with charming gardens, paddocks and mature woodland. The property is located just on the outskirts of Kilmaurs and is naturally sheltered by amenity woodland.
The village of Kilmaurs lies between Kilmarnock and Stewarton and is within striking distance of the M77 which provides excellent access to Glasgow and Ayrshire. The skyline of the village is dominated by the bell tower of St Maur‘s Church. The church is thought to date back as far as 1170, although the bell tower, as it stands today, dates from 1888. The village was formerly noted for the manufacture of clasp knives or - whittles - . The sharpness of these instruments gave rise in Ayrshire to a jocular expression of comparison: a person of acute understanding and quickness of action is said to be - as gleg (sharp) as a Kilmaurs whittle - .
The village offers primary schooling, with secondary schooling in the neighbouring village of Stewarton. Private schooling is available in Ayr at Wellington School (ages 3-18) and a wider range of private schools is available on the south side of Glasgow, including Hutchesons‘ Grammar School and Craighholme School for Girls.
The city of Glasgow can be accessed easily by road or by rail from Kilmaurs (Glasgow Central approx 35 minutes). Now widely regarded as one of Europe‘s most fashion conscious cities, Glasgow has one of the UK‘s finest shopping districts as well as superb cultural facilities.
The Ayrshire coast is famous world wide for golf, with championship courses at Royal Troon, Prestwick and Turnberry, all of which have hosted The Open Championship. There are also golf courses at Ayr, Dailly (Brunston Castle) and Irvine, with a 9-hole golf course at Maybole.
Ayr Racecourse has regular race meetings and hosts the Scottish Grand National in April and the Ayr Gold Cup in September.
There is excellent sailing on the Firth of Clyde with yachting marinas at Troon and further up the coast at Largs and Inverkip.
Prestwick Airport offers services to London Stansted, Ireland and many continental European destinations. Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport provide a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Description
It is believed that the Abbot of Kelso granted parts of the lands of Tour to David Cuninghame of Roberton in 1532. The property stayed in the ownership Cuninghame family and their descendants until 1841 when a successful Glasgow merchant called Robert Parker Adam purchased the lands and rebuilt the mansion house in the Tudor Gothic style. This handsome B listed two storey mansion has many notable features including a gothic doorway, octagonal corner turrets, gothic arches and vaulted ceilings, most notably in the upper floor hallway and landing, with octagonal and oval cupolas.
Many original features have been retained, including ornate plaster cornicing, large open fires, high skirting boards and dual aspect apartments, all of which combine to create a classic country house. The estate was split up about 35 years ago with the gardener‘s cottage and stables cottage under separate ownership. Gardener‘s Cottage adjoins Tour House at its northern boundary, and Stables Cottage adjoins the rear courtyard.
Tour House has been upgraded in recent years. The roof was fully overhauled in 2009, at considerable expense. A Mozolowski and Murray conservatory was added to the east side of the property to take full advantage of the views of the gardens and beyond to the walled garden. A swimming pool was added to the ground floor accommodation some years ago but the pool has not been used for many years.
The grounds of Tour House are perhaps of equal importance as the house itself, with expanses of level lawns interspersed with amenity woodland. Numerous mature trees and shrubs provide excellent privacy. To the east of the property there is a walled garden and an all weather riding arena. Detailed planning permission for a detached bungalow to the south of the property has recently been applied for but no permission had been granted at the time of producing this brochure.
To the rear of Tour House is a courtyard with garaging and several store rooms with stables.
Accommodation
Entrance Vestibule
An arched doorway with double doors opens to a gothic entrance vestibule. Decorative moulded ceiling with sash window to the side.
Grand Hallway
Reception hallway with ornate plaster cornicing and gothic arch. Rear hallway and stone staircase to upper level with ornate cast iron balustrade. Polished oak floor
Drawing Room
Exceptional apartment with windows to the south and west. Notable features include a decorative oval frieze on the ceiling, original cornicing, high skirting boards and a timber fire surround housing an open fire. Connecting door to dining room.
Dining Room
The elegant formal dining room has a stone fireplace, ornate plaster cornicing, partial parquet flooring high, skirting boards and an alcove with matching doors either side to the original silver room and to a store cupboard. There are two west-facing windows.
Sitting Room
This apartment has windows to the south and east overlooking the manicured gardens and beyond to the walled garden. Stone fire surround, ornate plaster cornicing and centre rose, and built-in bookshelves.
Morning Room
Delightful east facing room with ornate plaster cornicing, high skirting boards and Adam style fire surround. Glazed double doors lead to the conservatory.
Conservatory
Mozolowski and Murray conservatory, taking full advantage of the views to the carefully tended gardens and beyond to the walled garden. Hardwood double glazed windows and hardwood flooring.
Inner Hallway (east)
Leads to former maid‘s room, currently a store room, which could be used as a study.
Cloakroom/WC
2 piece coloured suite comprising low level WC and wash hand basin.
Inner Hallway (west)
Access to discreetly positioned lift which provides access to the upper floor.
Kitchen
The kitchen has a range of base and wall mounted units. Butler‘s pantry off kitchen houses the boiler.
Shower Room
Three piece white suite.
Swimming Pool
To the rear of the kitchen there is a former outhouse which was converted many years ago to form a swimming pool. The swimming pool has not been used for many years.
Laundry Room
Spacious laundry room with base and wall mounted units and sink.
2 Additional Store Rooms
First Floor Landing
The first floor landing and hallway are notable features with vaulted ceilings with ornate plasterwork and two cupolas. The octagonal and oval cupolas were fully refurbished in 2009.
Master Bedroom
The master bedroom has sash and case windows to the south and east overlooking the gardens and paddocks beyond. Ornate cornicing, built in storage and doors to en suite bathroom and study.
En suite bathroom
Spacious bathroom with low level WC, bidet, pedestal wash hand basin and bath. Door to landing. Built in Storage
Study
Could be used as en suite dressing room to master bedroom.
Bedroom 2
Well proportioned double bedroom with bay window to the east overlooking the walled garden. Fireplace. Door to en suite bathroom.
En suite bathroom
White suite, comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and bath.
Toilet
Low level WC and wash hand basin.
Bathroom
White suite, comprising low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin and bath.
Bedroom 3
Double bedroom with west-facing window. Connecting door to Bedroom 4. Door to en suite toilet and wash hand basin
Bedroom 4
Double bedroom with west-facing window. Built in store cupboard.
Bedroom 5
Bright double bedroom with south and west-facing windows.
Passageway with built-in storage cupboards.
Bedroom 6
Single bedroom with south-facing window.
Gardens
Wide expanses of lawns surround the house with a variety of shrubs and mature trees including oaks, chestnuts and silver birches. Paddocks lie to the west and the south. To the east of the house are an ornamental pond and a heather garden. Beyond this is a significant walled garden which has not been cultivated in the recent past. The grounds bordering the southern driveway consist of mature woodlands with evergreens and mature rhododendrons. To the east of the property there is an all weather riding arena.
Courtyard
The courtyard to the rear of Tour House provides excellent parking with garages and store rooms off. The northern boundary is under the ownership of the adjoining property, Stables Cottage.
Directions
From central Glasgow take the M8 and the M77 south. Leave the M77 at Junction 7 and turn left, following the signs for Kilmaurs. At the roundabout, turn left then take the first exit left and continue along the B751 into the village of Kilmaurs. Turn left onto Mill Avenue and continue through mini roundabouts, turning left onto Kilmarnock Road (A735). Continue along Kilmarnock Road beyond Lodge House and the private entrance to Tour House is located on the left hand side, between two stone gateposts. Continue up the private driveway to Tour House.