page_title: Lands of Templehouse
section_title: The Laird's House, Farm and the Estate
hierarchical_section_title: Lands of Templehouse / History / The Laird's House, Farm and the Estate
caption_attribution_description: English: The access Lane to Templehouse, Dunlop, East Ayrshire.
context_page_description: The Lands of Templehouse formed a small estate lying between Aiket Castle and the town of Dunlop, East Ayrshire, Parish of Dunlop, Scotland. The laird's house at Templeland of Dunlop Hill, to give it its formal name, stood near to the ancient road leading from Dunlop to Kirkwood and on to Kennox. The lands were held by the Knights Templar until a date prior to 1570 when the Gemmells of Templehouse were granted the property and remained there until 1962, a period of around 500 years. The spelling 'Gemmell' is used for consistency except where otherwise denoted.
context_section_description: The Knights Templar's ownership of the lands are remembered in the name of this property.
  In 1856 an OS map shows a similar walled garden enclosure to that at Borland. It covered just over half an acre, had a significant height and had a vehicular entrance facing to the east and a pedestrian access via steps to the cottages at the north. The formal paths divided the garden into four squares each of which are shown to have been planted with trees as in a typical orchard. Another map shows chevron shaped paths and beds at both walled gardens.
  The roof is said to have had large slates, very small rooms and crowstepped gables. Interestingly one of the rooms is thought to have had a coved, painted ceiling. It is not known what damage was caused by the 18th century fire and this may account for the loss of more ancient architectural features.
  The farm in 1913 consisted of two cottages attached to a byre and a separate building at right angles that may have served as an animal feed store and stable, etc. The cottages have some well carved stonework and may be early 19th century, but earlier than the walled garden whilst the byre appears older. The walled garden was unusually built onto the gable end of the western cottage. The other main building, built in an older different style, was quite sizeable. No clear indications of a typically spacious laird's house or more ancient buildings survives.
  A large yard lay in front of the buildings, now covered with rubble. Roads joined the house with (East) Netherhill, Mains of Aiket, South Netherhouses and North Netherhouses. A small whinstone quarry lay to the east that may have been utilised to provide the whinstone for the walled garden and a smaller one above may have been adapted as a bunker for the old golf course.
  John Gemmil (sic) in 1820 held Templehouse at the valued rent of £50 and a John Gemmil (sic) also held Leahead and part of Aiket at £27. The Netherhouses were held by Mrs Gemmil (sic) and A. Brown Esq. at £100 6s 8d. Thorn was held by a David Gemmil (sic) at £53 6s 8d.
  It was described circa 1855 as "A neat farm house with outbuildings and an excellent garden attached, the property and residence of John Gemmell Esqr."
caption: Access lane to Templehouse
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