Description

Mid 19th century. Near symmetrical, single-storey and attic double-fronted commercial premises with pair of piended dormers, breaking wallhead. White painted harl to street (W) elevation. Pair of near-intact shop fronts with 2-leaf timber storm doors and recessed glass and timber inner entrance doors and flanking display windows with low, broad, canted cills. Timber fascias and cornice. Later, single-storey flat-roofed extension to rear.

Plate glass to shop windows. 8-lying-pane timber sash and case windows to dormers. Double pitched roof (see Notes), graded grey slates. Raised skews. Cast iron rainwater goods with decorative hoppers and brackets. Brick gable stack to left with decorative cans.

INTERIOR: largely altered internally (partially seen 2007). Shop to right believed to contain 2 Victorian fire surrounds. Coombed ceiling to attic.

Statement of Interest

5 & 7 The Cross is a rare survival of a 19th century double-fronted cottage-style shop. It is remarkable for the retention of its paired shop fronts, each with recessed entrances, 2-leaf storm doors and flanking plate glass windows. The display windows of the shops unusually retain their original rectangular proportions. This largely unaltered street elevation makes this building a significant addition to the streetscape. The lying-pane glazing to the dormers is also notable for its survival.

These cottage shops were once common throughout smaller towns in Scotland, but many have since been altered or returned to dwelling houses. They were often positioned on the edges of towns and villages.

The building seems to have been originally one room deep with a further pitched roof extension added to the rear towards the end of the 19th century. The 2nd Edition Map of 1897 shows the property extended to the rear and with a dividing line in the position where the two shops now lie and it likely that the cottage was extended and converted into shops in the latter part of the 19th century.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata IDs Q17310081 Q77780601

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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