BETWEEN Thursday 29th and Friday 30th August 2024, Carsebridge House in Alloa was destroyed by fire.

It had lain empty for many years with no sign of being saved, even though it was Category B listed by Historic Environment Scotland.

The house had been built around 1799 at the time the nearby Carsebridge Distillery opened, although may have been there before then.

Built in the classical style of locally sourced sandstone, with a symmetrical front elevation, it was situated in a field leased by John Francis Erskine, later 7th the Earl of Mar, to the north of the distillery and became home to its manager John Bald.

Although Bald never owned the property, he lived there until his death in 1844. His wife Janet Dick stayed on until her death in February 1863 at the age of 88.

Carsebridge House was occupied by members of the Bald or Bald-Harvey family until the 1930s, although it was briefly sold in 1890, and the house was occupied by the manager of the distillery until the middle of the 20th century.

To the west of the property was a large walled garden and a curiosity, the Napoleon Pillar which was presented to John Bald Harvey in the 19th century.

In 1899 Colonel Harvey, who was the proprietor at the time, caused some controversy when he built a wall to stop public access to a footpath that led from Jellyholm to Keilarsbrae behind his house.

In 1911, the stables were built to the east of the house and accessed by a short drive branching off the main drive.

By August 1961 Carsebridge House was up for sale following the death of James le Grand Harvey.

It was described as a small Georgian house with three floors, extensive stables and outbuildings, walled garden and policies amounting to 7 acres.

A field of 11 acres was also included in the sale. Goods from the house were put up for auction at the end of that month, and included a Sheraton card table, a Chippendale chest of drawers, a French mantel clock and Collard & Collard piano.

On the night of Friday 30th March 1962, an attempt was made to break into the house.

By the 2010s it was abandoned and had fallen into disrepair, with metal sheeting covering the windows.

Slates were missing, sarking was exposed, and a broken roof light allowed water penetration. Vegetation was growing at various points.

It was placed on the Buildings At Risk register in 2021.

Following the fire, its future is uncertain.