Description

18th century. Remains of a circular kiln to E of Academy Square and N of Main Street; over 15 feet tall in places. Large sandstone rubble blocks; low arched opening to W at ground level; rectangular opening above right, approximately 10 feet above ground. N elevation obscured by ivy. Rubble walls of seemingly similar age run along to E and W but are not attached to kiln.

INTERIOR: not seen, 2000.

Statement of Interest

The date of the structure, which was probably a drying kiln, is uncertain, possibly 18th century. According to the RCAHMS Record Sheet, the interior of the kiln is narrower at the bottom with a ledge to carry the drying floor. The location of the kiln, behind Brewstead house on Main Street, adjacent to The Bruce Arms suggests that it might have been used for malting as well as for hide tanning and fish curing during the mid 18th century (Chesher, Foster and Hogben). There were a large number of small public houses in Limekilns (the name Brewstead is an indicator of this) they all, no doubt needed malt. Tanning was also carried out in this part of the village. It was much disliked by the surrounding inhabitants and in the 1870's, the 9th Earl of Elgin excercised his feudal authority and closed the tannery (11th Earl of Elgin). The kiln is in a ruinous state at time of resurvey (2000).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56614952

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Monuments
• 
  Cumbria: Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)