Building record MAB38842 - DEN BURN WORKS, BRECHIN

Former works and mill complex, some of the site is now in commercial use, with some converted for residential use.

Former works and mill complex, some of the site is now in commercial use, with some converted for residential use. The first factory was built in 1854. This was then replaced by a steam-powered factory in 1864. The south block was extended in 1871 from two to four storeys. It is shown on the 1st edition OS map as two separate groups of buildings. There is a rectangular range to the north, and L-plan range to the south, and the site is depicted as a 'Warping Factory', 'Handloom Factory' and there is a bleaching green to the east. On the 2nd edition OS map the factory is depicted as 'Den Burn Works (Linen)', and consists of a large roughly rectangular building, with an irregular north elevation and a recess in the east elevation. To the south is the remains of the L-plan range. The site of the bleaching green is largely empty, save for two rectangular buildings to the north, one of which is in an enclosure. Current maps show most of the southern block of the larger factory building remains, and rest appears to have been replaced or incorporated into industrial buildings. The section of the L-plan range to the south remains as residential buildings, and the site of the bleaching green has mostly been built up with industrial buildings. The southern block was converted for residential use in 1989. The remaining south range is a four-storey building with an 18-bay frontage. It is constructed from coursers, with margins and raised quoins at the angles. The ground floor has five round-headed doors in architraves with key blocks. The central door has been enlarged, and is surmounted by a band of lettering, a plaque and a clock. The clock is by William Oxely and Co of Manchester, 1871. There is a string-course to the first floor, which has arched windows. There is an Italianate tower at the western end, featuring tall round-headed openings in Doric angle pilasters at the top stage, surmounted by a flagpole on a platformed roof with metal brattishing. A single-storey, 13-bay range facing Southesk Street to the west has rusticated base courses, diminishing as the ground rises to the north. There are architraved windows in each bay. To the rear are single-storey weaving sheds and an octagonal section brick chimney. Textile production ceased in 1982. A level 3 historic building recording was carried out in 2007 by AOC Archaeology prior to demolition and development. The façade facing Southesk Street to the west, and the front portion of the southern block were recorded. They are both are B-listed listed, and were unaffected by the development works. The remaining single-storey buildings to the rear appear to have been replaced.

Period Notes
There are various dates given for the stages of this building. Watson (2013) gives a build date for the earlier factory of 1863, and Hume (1977) gives 1854. Watson gives 1863 as the date of the factory that replaced it, and the HES listing gives 1864. Watson and the HES listing give 1871 as the date it was extended, but Hume gives 1874. It was listed on 05/04/1979.

A/63634/PO, A/63634/PO (Photograph). SAB22516.

B/43363, B/43363 (Photograph). SAB22510.

B/43364, B/43364 (Photograph). SAB22511.

B/43365, B/43365 (Photograph). SAB22512.

B/43366, B/43366 (Photograph). SAB22513.

B/43367, B/43367 (Photograph). SAB22514.

B/43368, B/43368 (Photograph). SAB22515.

DC/26281, DC/26281 (Photograph). SAB24025.

DC/26282, DC/26282 (Photograph). SAB24026.

DC/26283, DC/26283 (Photograph). SAB24027.

DC/26284, DC/26284 (Photograph). SAB24028.

DC/26285, DC/26285 (Photograph). SAB24029.

Untitled Source (Ground Photograph). SAB21085.

Hume, JR, 1977, Industrial Archaeology of Scotland (Bibliographic reference). SAB730.

SPROAT, D, 2007, FORMER DEN BURN WORKS, BRECHIN, ANGUS: HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING REPORT, report (Bibliographic reference). SAB2207.

Feb 12 2008 , AAS/08/1/DG8583, AAS/08/1/DG8583 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB21385.

Sep 15 2000 , AAS/00/13/CT43, AAS/00/13/CT43 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB29361.

Record last edited

Jul 18 2022 10:06AM