Description

Circa 1876. Alexander Ross. 2-storey and single storey, gabled school buildings. Rock-faced granite with red sandstone dressings. Stone mullions.

PRINCIPAL BLOCK: 2-storey U-plan block flanked by lower single storey and attic block to left. U-plan blocked with gabled outer bays each with tripartite windows to each floor, that at 1st floor stepped at centre, with relieving arch over and with oculus or clock in gablehead above, crowned by terracotta finials; 2 bays with bipartite windows at centre, breaking eaves at 1st floor in gabled dormerheads; lean-to porch in re-entrant angle to left with pointed arch doorway. 3-stage tower in re-entrant angle to right with dividing string courses, pointed arch door at ground, blind arrowslits above with pointed arch, hoodmoulded windows at 3rd stage, breaking eaves in pyramidal roof. Leaded base of former ventilating spire to centre of main ridge. Lower block similarly with gabled dormerheads to windows breaking eaves.

SINGLE STOREY BLOCK: harled to rear. Principal elevation with band course at ground. 2 advanced gabled bays to centre with stepped and hoodmoulded tripartite windows, 1 gable with decorative metal finial, flanked to right by further gabled tripartite flanked by smaller single windows and further window to outer left. Ridge ventilators and gabled, louvred ventilators to roof pitch. Gabled projections and lean-to open porch to rear. Both blocks with horizontal-pane, timber sash and case windows (plate glass or 4-pane to smaller windows). Grey slates, metal flashing.

INTERIOR: not seen 1996

Statement of Interest

The minutes of Kilmallie School Board contain references to correspondence with renowned Architect Alexander Ross regarding this school, to be built after the Education Act of 1872 introduced compulsory schooling. The School Board sold the former parish school at Achintore and in lieu thereof built the new school (currently Fort William Primary) 100 yards from the site of the old. Ross was one of the most prolific and pre-eminent architects of his generation, working primarily in the Highland region.

Listing category changed from C(S) to B in 2004 when it was established that Alexander Ross (1834-1925) was the architect. He also built the nearby St Andrews Episcopalian School on Fassifern Road (see separate listing).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17828188

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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