Bargany (also known as Bargeny)

http://portal.historic-scotland.gov.uk/hes/web/f?p=PORTAL:DESIGNATIONS:0

Type of Site

The parks evident today are the work of W.S. Gilpin from c.1826, typified by the clumps on the north bank of the river and the walled garden was built between 1808 and 1833. Woodland and rock gardens were created between c.1910 and 1939, hosting a collection of Azalea and Rhododendron species.

Location and Setting

Bargany House stands on the south bank of the Water of Girvan some 2 miles (3km) south-west of the village of Dailly and some 20 miles (32km) south of the town of Ayr. The designed landscape makes use of the setting in the valley of the River Girvan. The surrounding landscape is rolling agricultural land, apart from the disused coalmine of Killochan in the north-east. Views are gained from the south across the park whilst, from the north, the woods are significant from the B741, the B734, and from the railway which was laid through the woodlands in the early 19th century.

The house stands at the edge of the woodland garden in parkland on the south bank of the Water of Girvan. The designed landscape extends to the B741 in the north and the B734 to the south, the latter separating Blackwood Plantation from Blackwood Head Plantation, now considered to be outwith the policies. To the west, the policies extend to Cairnhill and Lovestone Plantations and to Brunston and Dailly Plantations in the east. The main Dailly/Girvan road formed the southern boundary of the site until the early 19th century when it was moved to its current position (now the B734). At that time the designed landscape was extended accordingly. The main entrance, the east drive, runs through Blackwood Plantation, crosses the old road and skirts the edge of the pond and thence through the woodland garden to the house. The north drive, now a farm road only, sweeps over Bargany Bridge across the park and passes Bargany Mains to join the B741. A sunken tunnel, which was the servants' and tradesmen's entrance from the early 19th century, runs off the main drive through the woodland garden to the back of the house. It was roofed over and turfed but the roof was removed when the structure became dangerous about 40 years ago and the tunnel was blocked off.

The designed landscape shown on General Roy's plan of 1750 covered a much smaller area bounded by the River Girvan to the north and by the main road to the south. The policies today cover 1300 acres (526ha).

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

Bargany House, is listed category A. It is an unfortified mansion of the later 17th century, of three storeys and attic with crow-stepped end gables. The symmetrical rear wings were augmented by two single storey pedimented additions in the mid-18th century. Further alterations were begun around 1840 and a new three storey wing added at the north corner of the 17th century mansion between 1862 and 1878. Bargany Bridge, listed category B, is said to have been built c.1776. The remains of Brunstone Castle, listed B, stand in the east park on the northern shore of the Water of Girvan. The Estate Office and cottages lie to the west of the house amid the woodland garden.

Two gatepiers which stand on the edge of the Bowling Green were brought from the 3rd Duc de Coigny's Paris house. There are two lodges: one at each of the north and south drive entrances. The Sundial which stands in the outer walled garden is inscribed as gifted to Colonel North Dalrymple- Hamilton in 1916 by Privates Hall and Macmillan. The Boathouse stands on the northern shore of the pond, and was erected about 60 years ago.

Parkland

The parkland today extends from the house, north across the Water of Girvan to Cairnhill Plantation and south across the old main road to Blackwood and Gallanston Wood. In the early 19th century the parkland extended further east to include further areas to the north of Brunstone Castle and south of the Water of Girvan. Both of these areas are now farmland.

The laying out of the policies was begun by John Hamilton in the mid to late 18th century. In doing so he is said to have employed William Adam and, later, George Robertson who prepared an improvement plan for the grounds in 1774, some of which was carried out. Thomas White Jnr prepared a plan in 1802 but most of this was not implemented. The parks as seen today are the work of W.S. Gilpin from c.1826 as typified by the clumps on the north bank of the river. The lime, beech, sycamore and chestnut specimens are mainly of this period, as is the lime avenue along the old main road. Other ornamental trees were planted by Colonel Sir North Dalrymple- Hamilton. The parks today are used as farmland.

Woodland

The woodlands which enclosed the designed landscape are now predominantly conifers, planted since the last war. A good deciduous edge has been maintained around the edges of the woods and alongside the drives.

Woodland Garden

The woodland garden lies to the west of the house and was created by Colonel Sir North Dalrymple-Hamilton before and after World War I. The concept was to use a structure of yellow Azalea and intersperse it with Ghent and Mollis Azalea and Rhododendron species and hybrids. Many of the plants used came from Lochinch Garden.

The Bowling Green, lying to the east of the pond was laid out c.1775 by John Hamilton, possibly as part of the George Robertson design. It is the only remaining part of an earlier formal design. The pond was probably formed at about the same time from a swampy area.

Lady Glen lies to the west of the woodland garden on the edge of the Laughlan Burn. Here, and above Weaver Walk, beech, maple and oak predominate, with a variety of ornamental conifers planted in the Victorian period and between the Wars. Many of the older trees were measured by Alan Mitchell in 1954.

The Gardens

The Rock Garden, or Hermit's Garden, lies to the west of the main drive opposite the woodland garden. It was laid out c.1927 in a hollow on either side of the Laughlan Burn. Dwarf Rhododendrons and Azaleas were planted with Cercidiphyllum, Japanese Acer, Viburnum and Primula species as well as many rock plants. The effect is beautiful.

Walled Garden

The walled garden was built between 1808 and 1833 amid the parkland to the east of the house. It was laid out by John Hay and included a double walled walk on the south side of the main rectangular walled enclosure and small ornamental gardens at both the west and east ends. A further nursery garden, indicated on both the 1st and 2nd edition OS maps of 1850 and 1910 sited to the east of the garden, has now been planted as woodland.

The interior of the main walled enclosure, which extends over about four acres, is now laid down to grass with a small area used for vegetables. The glasshouses on the south-facing wall are derelict. The small garden at the west end is semi-circular and enclosed by a fence and surrounded by ornamental trees. The Cherry Walk leads from the entrance to the west end of the garden to the moon gate into the walled garden. The foundations of the Pineapple House, built by John Hay, lie next to the west-facing wall. An interesting collection of trees and shrubs are planted throughout this small garden. The enclosed walk on the south side of the walled garden is lined with a variety of shrubs including shrub roses, Viburnum, Pieris, and Mahonias.

Beyond the east wall of the main walled garden is an area largely devoted to displaying plant material for sale. Here stand the greenhouses which are used for growing fruit and propagating plant material. To the south of the walled garden beyond the drive lies the Garden Park Field. A small walled garden designed by Thomas White Jnr is thought to have been sited here although no trace of this remains on the 1st or 2nd edition OS maps of 1850 and 1910.