Castledown
Well-known member
My Dad previosuly discovered this place while walking the recently opened Anandale Way and took me to have a look at it in December 2009.
I have been able to find little information on the house, probably due to records stating that it was demolished in the 1960s, despite the fact that it still stands. I have come across quite a few examples however of a house being listed as demolished when it was actually just de-roofed, and given that this was a relatively common practice during this period I suspect that this is what happened to Milkbank too. RCAHMS have a few images of the house in its former glory but this is all I've been able to find.
The red sandstone mansion sits on a slightly raised sight above the Water of Milk close to the small settlement of Castlemilk in Dumfries and Galloway. The ruin is of impressive proportions, rising to four storeys in some sections of the building and retains many charming features; turrets, balconies, marble staircase to the main door, stepped entrances on each side of the building, a beautiful mosaic floor and one of the grandest fireplaces I have ever come across even in more 'high profile' ruins. I was also struck by the excellent condition of the stone beneath the many creepers which almost obscure the structure - masonry details remain sharp and unweathered with only a small section to the rear having partially collapsed.
One one side of the house there is a wing which appears much older, being constructed from different stone and it looks like this was the original house which was drastically extended with the addition of the sandstone structure which seems to have been popular around the Victorian era.
There are also some derelict kennels nearby which were lived in more recently judging by some questionable wallpaper!
A blocked up window complete with painted blind in the older section
The mosaic floor in the entrace hall prior to clean-up...
and after
Inside the staircase tower
The Kennels
Also paid a quick visit to Hoddom Castle while I was in the area. The site now hosts an extensive caravan park and some of the later additions are used as facilities like laundry, while the old main tower is derelict and boarded up.
I have been able to find little information on the house, probably due to records stating that it was demolished in the 1960s, despite the fact that it still stands. I have come across quite a few examples however of a house being listed as demolished when it was actually just de-roofed, and given that this was a relatively common practice during this period I suspect that this is what happened to Milkbank too. RCAHMS have a few images of the house in its former glory but this is all I've been able to find.
The red sandstone mansion sits on a slightly raised sight above the Water of Milk close to the small settlement of Castlemilk in Dumfries and Galloway. The ruin is of impressive proportions, rising to four storeys in some sections of the building and retains many charming features; turrets, balconies, marble staircase to the main door, stepped entrances on each side of the building, a beautiful mosaic floor and one of the grandest fireplaces I have ever come across even in more 'high profile' ruins. I was also struck by the excellent condition of the stone beneath the many creepers which almost obscure the structure - masonry details remain sharp and unweathered with only a small section to the rear having partially collapsed.
One one side of the house there is a wing which appears much older, being constructed from different stone and it looks like this was the original house which was drastically extended with the addition of the sandstone structure which seems to have been popular around the Victorian era.
There are also some derelict kennels nearby which were lived in more recently judging by some questionable wallpaper!
A blocked up window complete with painted blind in the older section
The mosaic floor in the entrace hall prior to clean-up...
and after
Inside the staircase tower
The Kennels
Also paid a quick visit to Hoddom Castle while I was in the area. The site now hosts an extensive caravan park and some of the later additions are used as facilities like laundry, while the old main tower is derelict and boarded up.
