Building Biographies: a 2023 volunteer research project into the country houses of Galloway

Can You Dig It?Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership (GGLP)

27 Sept

Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership Can You Dig It?

The Building Biographies project recruited volunteers to undertake research into some of the large country houses within Galloway, with the research taking place from February to June 2023.

Building Biographies – Volume Contents

Cardoness House, Anwoth
The Holme, Balmaclellan
Balmaghie House, Balmaghie
Hensol House, Balmaghie
Laurieston Hall, Balmaghie
Slogarie House, Balmaghie
Borgue Old House, Borgue
Senwick House, Borgue
Southwick House, Colvend and Southwick
Glenlochar House, Crossmichael
Castledykes, Dumfries
Stroquhan House, Dunscore
Physgill House, Glasserton
Ravenstone Castle, Glasserton
Dildawn House, Kelton
Lochbank, Kelton
Ardendee, Kirkcudbright
Balmae House, Kirkcudbright
Fludha, Kirkcudbright
Janefield, Kirkcudbright
Marks, Kirkcudbright
Neptune Park, Kirkcudbright
Barnbarroch, Kirkinner
Logan House, Kirkmaiden
Over Courance, Kirkmichael
The Grove, Kirkpatrick Irongray Lochanhead House, Lochrutton
Cumloden, Minnigaff
Corsock House, Parton
Glenlaggan, Parton
Mochrum Park, Penninghame
Dunskey House, Portpatrick
Argrennan House, Tongland
Bogra House, Tongland
Broomlands, Troqueer
Goldielea, Troqueer
Mabie House, Troqueer
Barwhinnock House, Twynholm
Cumstoun House, Twynholm
Largs House, Twynholm
Castlewigg, Whithorn
Spottes Hall, Urr

Each volunteer was given their own specific house to research, piecing together timelines from their initial construction through to how they stand today. The project included houses that were still in use, ruinous or even demolished, featuring a variety of functions dating back to the 19th century or earlier.

As more volunteers signed up the study area expanded to include a mix of country houses from across Galloway, and even a few from Dumfriesshire.

By the end of the project, 32 volunteers submitted their findings as summary reports, which covered 42 country houses across Galloway. The volunteers included people from Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Glasgow and America. Their results revealed stories of the people who designed, lived and worked within these houses, stories which reflect both local history and connections to far-flung places during times of peace and war.

The passion and commitment shown by the volunteers in uncovering the stories of these houses, both good and bad, has been inspiring, and they have created an impressive record which will be shared for many years to come.