Ravenstone Castle, Glasserton

Roofless ruins of large country house, 4 main builds: nucleus of L-plan tower of 16th century, with infill block to re-entrant angle of later 17th century. To N of this block, bow-ended wing added in early 19th century with further large double-pile addition of circa 1875 mirroring 17th century house; this gives near-cruciform plan with arms being early 19th century bow-ended projections.

A few yards to the N half hidden by a fallen tree are the remains of a horse powered pumping engine for drawing water. Cast-iron underfloor drive mechanism and part of the harness bar survive. The 19th century additions are of lesser merit but the Prestonfield-like early core is of rarity value and historic importance. (Historic Scotland)

October 1978: The Forestry Commission seeks permission to demolish the house, which is now ruinous and without its roof or floors, though it remains essentially intact to the wallhead. SCT objects and advances consolidation as a ruin instead. 1981: The house is sold to a private individual. November 1994: SCT understands that the owner resides in the towerhouse section. Local planners report that some stabilisation and restoration works have been undertaken without Listed Building Consent. The owner discourages visitors to the site. 6 May 1999: The Scotsman reports that the house is once more for sale. The walls have been repointed and capped, ready for the reinstatement of floors and roofs. September 2000: SCT receives reports that the house has been sold. January 2002: Local planners report that a new roof is to be constructed later this year and confirm the change in ownership.

August 2008: External inspection reveals that the front section (3 bays to front, 2 to side, 3 storey and basement) are partly restored. The roof has been rebuilt and new sash windows and a door installed. Work is ongoing on the interior. The rear half of the building remains ruinous.

July 2011: External inspection, and discussion with the owner, finds the exterior to be largely unchanged while restoration of the interior continues on a room by room basis.

12 March 2014: External inspection finds the restoration work ongoing.