Description

Saracen Foundry (Macfarlane's of Glasgow patent). Circa 1897. Single storey, rectangular gentleman's urinal with open entrance bay and 2-stalls. Painted cast-iron, sectional construction.

W (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: 3-bay with open entrance to 1st bay; pair of identical 4-panelled sections to centre and right adjoined by iron uprights to house urinals: plain panel to ground; directly above, embossed patterned panel with round detail to centre, right panel embossed SARACEN FOUNDRY MACFARLANES PATENT GLASGOW; ornamental fretwork panel and arch-ended ventilator panel surmounting and completing plan.

N ELEVATION: no elevation as such, open entrance abutting S elevation of stone building on Caberston Farm.

E (REAR) ELEVATION: three identical 4-panelled sections adjoined by iron uprights to form rear of structure: 2 embossed patterned panels with round detail to centre, middle panel embossed SARACEN FOUNDRY MACFARLANES PATENT GLASGOW; ornamental fretwork panel and arch-ended ventilator panel surmounting and completing plan.

S ELEVATION: pair of identical 4-panelled sections adjoined by iron uprights to form end of structure: plain panel to ground; directly above, embossed patterned panel with round detail to centre; ornamental fretwork panel and arch-ended ventilator panel surmounting and completing plan.

No glazing, but narrow arch-ended ventilators and ornamental fretwork to upper sections. Open topped entrance with flat-roof enclosing booths; decorative cornice with iron teeth surmounting all. Gargoyle waterspout (in the form of a crouched composite animal) to centre of front and rear elevations in lieu of rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: entrance leading to 2 stalls divided by iron screen with quadrant top and decorative teeth; each stall with embossed with "PLEASE ADJUST YOUR DRESS BEFORE LEAVING". Ventilation panels to upper sections of all elevations.

Statement of Interest

Urinal, still in use as such. Walkerburn village grew up around the Tweedvale and Tweedholm Mills to provide housing for the workers. As the village grew, public amenities grew; pavements, better roadways and street lighting were all provided after the Parish Councils Act was passed. This urinal was brought to the village toward the end of the 19th century, and the County Sanitary Inspector commented that a "great improvement has been effected in Walkerburn Village by the erection of a public urinal." The urinal is listed due to its rarity and good condition. It is sited in the field adjacent to Caberston Farm Buildings, on the opposite side of the road from Tweedvale Mill.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17568117

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.

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