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Summary

Description

Probably by Robertson & Orchar, circa 1864. 2-storey, 16-bay former linen works. Long, ordered elevation with regular fenestration broken by 2 segmentally arched cart entrances. Squared and snecked stugged sandstone with rusticated ashlar masonry to quoins, arched cart entrance surrounds and vertical margins which define the first and last 3 bays. Flush droved long and short surrounds to windows. Ashlar eaves course and cornice. Further sandstone rubble buildings attached to rear.

EAST (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: near-symmetrical elevation with entrance door at 5th bay. Curb stones to cart entrances. Regular fenestration to each bay.

SOUTH ELEVATION: 2 bays at 2-storeys, long single storey sandstone rubble shed attached.

WEST ELEVATION: masked by recent extension.

NORTH ELEVATION: 2-bay. Complex of rubble sandstone and slated engine and boiler house with large arched openings, some signs of fire damage. Octagonal brick chimney, now truncated, rises from base cornice. Further modern (20th century) additions.

2-leaf timber entrance door to principal elevation, 4-pane fanlight. Fanlights above cart entrances. Predominantly 10-pane lying pane timber windows (fixed with top hopper to factory, sash and case to office 1st floor S); some blocked. Piended slate roofs with regularly placed cast-iron roof lights to north-lit weaving sheds. Modern (20th century) rendered stack to S replaces original stone stack.

INTERIOR: partially seen (2003). Timber floor, cast-iron columns supporting 1st floor.

GATE PIERS AND BOUNDARY WALLS: pair of square-plan, rusticated ashlar gate piers to S. Corniced cap with missing finials. Wrought-iron gates with scroll detail. Rubble boundary wall continues southwards to North Street. Low rubble stone wall curves northwards from N elevation with paired squat rubble piers (one missing).

Statement of Special Interest

In use as a Linen Works until around the time of the Second World War. Recently used as a mushroom factory. Important as a reminder of the once prominent linen industry in Fife and notable for its little altered principal elevation. Groups with the contemporary workers housing at North Street and Eden Valley Row. Hand loom weaving at home was the principal occupation in Freuchie until it was superceded by the power loom factory. A similar factory (demolished late 20th century) existed nearby at the Pleasance, Falkland. Robertson & Orchar (the latter a Provost and art collector), Wallace Foundry, Dundee, designed and built complete factories that contained their products, principally jute and linen power looms, along with all the mill wright work. They included accomplished architectural draughtsmen who designed most of the linen factories in Dunfermline (eg Canmore, Victoria, and St Margarets Works), East Wemyss, Forfar, Kirriemuir and Perth, besides several in Dundee.

References

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