Building record MAB12196 - SPRINGBANK

Cottage, mill, and shop.

Cottage, mill, and shop. Shown on the 1st edition OS map as two rectangular buildings set at right angles with a rectangular enclosed garden to the west. These appear to be on the same footprint as the existing buildings and suggest that they were originally built in the first half of the 19th Century. The mill pond is also shown at this date, indicating that the lade system as it exists now was original. The 2nd edition OS map of 1902 shows the cottage and mill as conjoined. An outbuilding on the footprint of the present shed has been built to the south of the mill and the dyke on the east side of the garden has been built. The cottage is described as a single storey, rectangular, 3-bay, cottage, typical in style of Deeside improved cottages. The front (west) elevation is harled, with red granite lintels and rubble granite projecting long and short quoins, with lean-to outhouse to rear. Adjoining timber-built shop premises to side. The shop premises are described as a single storey, single bay addition to roadside (north) gable end of the cottage. It is of timber board construction, with plain barge boarding to overhanging eaves, the gable terminating in a wooden spur finial. The shop interior comprises timber panelling to the walls, fitted shelving and a shop counter all in deeply polished pine. Mill, containing original threshing machinery, to the rear of cottage. The mill is described as a single storey, single bay addition to the rear (East) of the cottage, adjacent to the roadside and in line with the mill lade. It is of plain rubble construction, with a slated roof. Inside is a large timber-built water powered threshing machine, dating from circa 1900, which displays the high craftsmanship of the local country joiner prior in the Pre-War period. Timber steps lead to a mezzanine storage space. The substantially unaltered house and adjoining shop and mill make Springbank an excellent vernacular survival from the late 19th century, Pre-War agricultural landscape of Upper Deeside, rare within the region and unique within the immediate area. A standing building survey was carried out in July 2008 by MAS prior to development. The threshing mill, lade and mill pond were recorded. A date stone of 1890 on the mill may indicate a renovation, as the map evidence suggests that there was a mill on the same footprint by the mid-19th century.

MURRAY, H.K., 2008, LECHT COTTAGE MILL, COULL-STANDING BUILDING SURVEY, SBS (Bibliographic reference). SAB4610.

BUILDING SURVEY

ARCHAEOLOGY SCOTLAND, 2009, DISCOVERY & EXCAVATION IN SCOTLAND, VOL 9, 2008, p.18 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3496.

Record last edited

Dec 15 2022 9:42AM