In the 18th century, the fortunes of the estate altered. Captain John Chalmers died unmarried in 1747 and bequeathed the estate to his three sisters, Mary, Ann and Elizabeth in equal portions. The following year, Mary Chalmers married Mr John Steele, Minister of Stair Parish. The couple had no family, and on her death in 1761 she bequeathed her portion of Gadgirth Estate to her husband, who was now designated "of Gadgirth". On one of the southern piers of Gadgirth bridge the inscription can still be read: " I was built by Mr John Steele, of Gadgirth, in 1768." Not long after this, he was responsible for the construction of the first Gadgirth Holm. In 1777, Andrew Wight, collecting evidence to be published in his famous report, " The Present State of Husbandry in Scotland", visited Rev John Steele at Gadgirth and was impressed by his success as estate manager and land improver. After his death , the estate passed to Lieut-Col Joseph Bumett. Colonel Burnett, who had held his commission in the Bengal Artillery of the Honourable East India Company, married on his retiral from active service and he and his wife made their home at Gadgirth. By this time the fabric of the old castle was crumbling. Extensive repair was not a course that seemed feasible. Col Bumett therefore had the old structure completely demolished and a magnificent mansion built in its place. It was his son General Francis Claud Bumett, also after service in India, who eventually decided to put the estate up for sale.       AYRSHIRE   Ayr 5 miles. Troon 9 miles. Kilmarnock 12 miles. Glasgow 33 miles. A CHARMING COUNTRY HOUSE AND SMALL AGRICULTURAL AND WELL-TIMBERED PROPERTY EXTENDING IN ALL TO ABOUT 150 ACRES, KNOWN AS GADGIRTH ESTATE In a delightful situation on the. south bank of the River Ayr The property includes: GADGIRTH HOUSE, a con- venient and 'beautiful residence in exceptionally fine order, comprising: 5 public rooms, 5 main bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen with Esse cooker and excellent domestic quarters; standing in attractive and small policies with lawns and tennis court- with Vacant Possession. GADGIRTH MAINS FARM extending to 62 acres, with Vacant Possession. A GARDENER'S HOUSE with a fine walled garden, greenhouses, potting sheds, etc., and fishing in the River Ayr; with Vacant Possession. A CHAUFFEUR'S COTTAGE with Vacant Possession. TWO COTTAGES which are let. A BLOCK OF EIGHT COTTAGES, one of which has Vacant Possession. A SMALL LODGE with Vacant Possession. TWO FISHING BEATS with exclusive fishing rights for salmon and sea-trout on the River Ayr, with Vacant Possession. FIVE FINELY TIMBERED LOTS with Vacant Possession: A FINE FlELD, suitable tor a market garden, with Vacant Possession. Offered for Sale by Auction in 16 lots (unless sold previously by private treaty) by JACKSON-STOPS AND STAFF, at the Dalblair Hotel, Ayr, on Tuesday, August 9, 1949, at 2.30 p.m. For further particulars, application should be made to the Proprietor's Sole Agents: JACKSON-STOPS AND STAFF, 15, Bond Street, Leeds, 1 (Tel. 31941/2/3).   Reproduction of the original newspaper advert from 1949   After a series of owners, Gadgirth House and Estate, extending to about 150 acres was sold by auction in seventeen lots. Gadgirth House, in an area of 12 acres was purchased on behalf of Ayr County Council and in June 1953 was officially reopened as the residence of some 23 Ayrshire children of school age, who for whatever reason had been deprived of their own home and parents and who had come under the care of the County Council. The Home fully justified the early expectations for its success. But by 1967 structural problems had developed and the cost of its upkeep became too great.. On 30 June 1968, Gadgirth Home closed for the last time and was demolished soon afterwards.       In 1993, the estate was purchased by lain and Karen Hendry, who began the gradual restoration of its remaining buildings, the management of the woodland areas and the regeneration of this vital part of Ayrshire's heritage.   Click here for previous history