Crawford Priory

After the destruction of Kilbirnie Castle by fire in 1757, George Lindsay-Crawford, 21st Earl of Crawford, 5th Earl of Lindsay, relocated his family first to Bourtreehill House, then constructed Crawford Lodge near the old Lindsay family residence of Struthers in 1758. Upon his death in 1781, he was succeeded by his eldest son, George Lindsay-Crawford, 22nd Earl of Crawford who died unmarried in 1808. Ending the male succession line of the John Lindsay, 17th Earl of Crawford, 1st Earl of Lindsay, his titles passed to the male heirs of David Lindsay, 9th Earl of Crawford under the regrant of 1642, while the Crawford-Lindsay estates, including Crawford Lodge, passed to his only surviving…

At its height, Crawford Priory was described as 'the finest house in the populous and wealthy county which it adorns, if not also in the whole of Scotland.' Historic Environment Scotland's decision to grant the building category B listed building status, with the acknowledgement that it was architecturally of category A status when in better condition, supports this assessment of its architectural merit. It is an earlier example of gothic revival architecture, incorporating octagonal turrets, large windows, pinnacles, arches, and other features, producing an appearance almost like that of a gothic priory from the east, hence its name. There can be seen to be two main parts to the white…