Description

Mid 19th to early 20th century with alterations. Rectangular-plan grain processing block comprising granary and double kiln linked by pair of lower-height malt barns and deposit store adjoining kilns to opposite side; oriented W-E; formerly part of whisky distillery complex. 5-stage still house with pyramidal roof adjoining later red sandstone production block with industrial chimney. Coursed sandstone and sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings. Predominantly slate roofs.

GRAIN PROCESSING BLOCK: GRANARY: late 19th/early 20th century. Sited at W end of main grain processing range. Tall gabled malt barn, oriented N-S, with gabled grain elevator housing set at centre of ridge. Blind panels, arranged as Venetian window, to S elevation. Single storey lean-to to W elevation. Window set in gablehead to N elevation; 3 catslide dormers to each pitch of roof. Adjoins narrow ends of pair of malt barns to N and E. MALT BARNS: pair of parallel adjoining malt barns; oriented E-W; that to N probably mid 19th century; single storey and basement 9-bay range with piended roof at W end; later coped gable to E end where block appears truncated (does not adjoin kiln). S malt barn dated 1914 on central panel; rendered 2-storey 6-bay range; lean-to to ground floor; 6th bay 2 and a half storeys with gabled dormer and tower-like structure, probably formerly housing elevator, above to rear; adjoins double kiln to E. DOUBLE KILN: probably late 19th century. Sited at centre of main grain processing range; oriented N-S. 4-storey structure with tall piended roof and paired pagoda ventilators. Adjoins deposit store and ancillary ranges to E. DEPOSIT STORE AND ANCILLARY RANGES: mid 19th century (possibly incorporating earlier fabric). Grouped as 3 sides of courtyard to E of double kiln. Tall deposit store; oriented E-W along N side of block; gable end to E built up in brick; 3 catslide dormers to each pitch of roof. 2 storey 4-bay ancillary range adjoins at right angles to S; oriented N-S; gabled loading bay to E side; piended roof to S. Single and 2-storey, 9-bay ancillary range, partly built up in brick to N side; oriented E-W along S side of block and extending to E of production block; 2 loading doors to 2-storey section.

STILL HOUSE: Mid to later 19th century. 5-stage, square-plan tower with pyramidal roof and louvred ventilator. Openings (largely altered) mainly to S and W elevations.

INTERIORS: not inspected (1998).

Statement of Interest

The most significant remaining structures on a large and much altered distillery site dating back to the late 18th century. The most interesting building is probably the patent still house, a rare (one of two known in Scotland) surviving example of a tower-like structure designed to accommodate a Coffey still, which comprised a pair of tall columns (an analyser and a rectifier). The distillery is illustrated in Alfred Barnard's 'The Whisky Distilleries of the UK' (published 1887). However the only recognisable buildings are the patent still house and a brick industrial chimney of square plan to the east of it. The south malt barn appears to have been substantially rebuilt in 1914, probably for a Saladin malting. The distillery was founded by George Simpson & Co in 1795-9. It passed through various ownerships, including that of Andrew Stein & Co, which later (in 1877) became a founder member of the Distillers Company Ltd and was operated with both pot and patented stills. Latterly Kirkliston was adapted to process yeast and malt extract for the Distillers Company.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata IDs Q77772726 Q77772731 Q77772735

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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