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Castle, still in use, built in the 16th century as a fortified house and extended in 1740. There were further additions and alterations in 1910 by Harold Ogle Tarbolton, architect. It is shown on the 1st edition OS map as a shallow L-plan building with gardens to the east. By the time of the 2nd edition there had been additions at the east and west ends of the north elevation. A sundial has also been added to the south. The three-storey and attic L-plan castle is constructed of local red sandstone, the earlier part retaining defensive features including gun ports and bartizans. This eastern block, dated 1568, is oblong, with a round stair tower in the north-east angle, surmounted by a square cap house reached by a tiny turret stair in the re-entrant angle. There is also a round turret on each angle of the east gable, which have conical stone roofs surmounted by masonry coronets, dummy dormer windows, a battlemented parapet with cannon-like spouts and machicolation in the corbelling. A heraldic panel inset in the south wall, dated 1568, bears the arms of James VI and the motto 'God Save The King'. The centre block of the mansion is from the 1740 extension, and the north-west part dates to 1910. The interior is little altered. It was owned by Gardyne of Leys before being acquired by the Lyells in 1682 and held it until the late 20th century. The alternative spelling of the name 'Gairdyn' is used on Timothy Pont's late-16th century map. An outline analytical building assessment was carried out by Addyman Archaeology in 2007.
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