Low Auchensail Farmhouse, Darleith Road, Cardross

Rectangular-plan farmhouse, rising to a single storey with attic. A long single storey rectangular-plan steading adjoins to the rear to form a T-plan. The farmhouse is harled and whitewashed, with the steading in whitewashed rubble. The south west elevation extends to 3 bays and features a boarded door to the centre, surmounted by a letterbox fanlight. Single windows flank to either side. 2 gabled dormers sit above at attic level. The south east elevation displays the farmhouse gable to the left, with the steading adjoining to the right.

Low Auchensail was the site from which famed aviator Percy Sinclair Pilcher experimented with the Bat, a self-built glider constructed in Glasgow's West End. The method of launch was to run against the wind downhill and take short jumps, for which Auchensail's geography was perfect. Pilcher was killed in his glider The Hawk at Stanford Hill, Kent in 1899. (Historic Scotland)

March 1996: External inspection reveals the farmhouse to be boarded up, though the owner reports that he intends to renovate. 1999: SCT understands that some repair works have been undertaken. The roof remains in poor condition.

December 2009: External inspection finds part of the steading section of the building appears to be in use as workshop, but there is a roof collapse to the north east portion. It is unclear whether the farmhouse is fully occupied, but some repair works appear to have taken place since the last site visit.

25 October 2012: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit. The property may be in use as a store.