Listed Building

The only legal part of the listing under the Planning (Listing Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 is the address/name of site. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing – see 'About Listed Buildings' below for more information. The further details below the 'Address/Name of Site' are provided for information purposes only.

Address/Name of Site

LAWYERS BRAE, PUBLIC LIBRARY AND INCLUDING BOUNDARY WALLS AND RAILINGSLB31989

Status: Designated

Documents

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Summary

Category
C
Date Added
24/05/1979
Local Authority
Scottish Borders
Planning Authority
Scottish Borders
Burgh
Galashiels
NGR
NT 49250 35947
Coordinates
349250, 635947

Description

Hay and Henderson, dated 1873 and extended 1889; additions of 1913 and 1932; later internal alterations by Frank White 1965-7. 3-storey, 3-bay, rectangular-plan gothic style purpose-built library. Advanced central crowstepped gabled bay with decorative ball finials; later semi-circular keystone arched doorway with imposts framed by corniced entablature on half fluted ionic columns raised on plinths; corbel bracketed balcony to 2nd floor with Venetian window inscribed 'Free Library 1873'. Squared 2-storey crenellated stair window to SE; later 2-storey canted crennellated window to NW with 1913 circular date stone in crowstepped gable above. Smooth dressed ashlar with chamfered arises to openings; coursed whin rubble with stugged sandstone margins to 1889 extension. 1st floor string course stepped to side elevations; stone bracketed eaves course; crenellated wallhead to NW.

Predominantly 4-pane timber sash and case windows; steep pitched slate roofs, large rooflights and triangular slated ventilators; chamfered corniced ashlar end stacks. Box section cast-iron gutters, square hoppers and downpipes recessed into string course.

BOUNDARY WALLS AND RAILINGS: Stone boundary walls to N, W and S. Cast iron railings.

INTERIOR: offices off central corridor; wide 1930s staircase with horizontally styled painted metal balustrade leading to open access open plan reading room filling upper floor. Jacobean style arched braced corbelled panelled wooden ceiling with pendants and rooflights between trusses. Decorative cast-iron balcony frieze to original mezzanine over reading room; additional 1960s mezzanine. The division between 1874 and 1889 is evident in the roof structure. Glazed 4-panel doors. Edwardian panelling and plasterwork to ground floors rooms to N.

Statement of Special Interest

The Public Library has an imposing fine classical facade and intricate stone detailing, and despite later internal alterations, its integrity remains intact. The building is sited on high ground opposite the Cornmill Fountain forming a strong group with the Fountain, Burgh Chambers and Volunteer Hall in an area where many public meeting were held.

The building was commissioned to provide a free library and visiting space for the townspeople. It was funded by a public subscription so generous that it also provided for 2500 books its opening on 9th Oct 1874. It was further extended in 1889 creating a reading room to the S and commemorating the Queen Victoria's Jubilee with a large arched W window and glazed tile frieze (now covered). The original stair was housed in the projecting bay to SE, the entrance to the upper reading room is still marked by an arched stone doorpiece. The decorative entrance doorpiece is thought to date from circa 1890s (not evident in photograph circa 1890).

When first built the library incorporated apartments for the resident librarian but these were lost in the 1913 interior remodelling at which point library bought 4 Gala Terrace as separate librarian's accommodation. The linking stone steps with barley twist cast-iron railings remain to the rear.

The introduction of the 'open access' system in 1937 led to alterations to the shelving and incorporated a new staircase. The 1965 alterations included a new mezzanine level and the removal of the rear reading room to create an open plan space.

References

Bibliography

R Hall The History of Galashiels (1898) p511. The Scotsman, (12th Oct 187) p3. www.historyofscottisharchitects.co.uk. K Cruft, Buildings of Scotland Borders (2006) p302. Galashiels, A Modern History. M Lawson , Guid Auld Galashiels.

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.

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Printed: 28/03/2024 13:19