Description

David Crow, 1861. 2-storey, 13-bay, symmetrical, gabled former poorhouse, with long 2-storey wings to N forming U-plan and incorporating separate cottage in courtyard (currently offices, 2012). Random rubble with contrasting smooth ashlar margins and quoins. Band course. Some simple timber bargeboarding; bracketted timber eaves. Single and bipartite window openings. Concrete harl to wings.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION): advanced central 3 bays with further advanced gabled central entrance bay. 2-leaf timber entrance door with fanlight above; flanking bays with tripartite window openings. Flanking recessed outer 5-bay sections with advanced gabled central bays.

INTERNAL COURTYARD: S ELEVATION: symmetrical. Central, lower gabled extension with advanced wings.

Predominantly single- and 4-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slates. Corniced ridge and gable stacks.

INTERIOR: (seen, 2012). Comprehensively altered to provide office accommodation.

AROS COTTAGE: to N. Situated within courtyard. Single-storey, 6-bay cottage. Rubble with smooth margins. Bracketted timber eaves. Predominantly 4-pane timber sash and case windows. Grey slates; gable stacks.

Coped boundary wall to S with central path.

Statement of Interest

This is a good and little externally altered example of a former poorhouse, built for a rural community by David Crow, a local architect and builder. The building retains its symmetrical, gabled front elevation and the original U-shape plan form is little altered, clearly demonstrating its former function. There is a separate single storey building to the rear of the property within the courtyard, which is likely to have been an infirmary block. The property was damaged by fire in the 1920s, and has been adapted in the interior, but is notable for the retention of much of its exterior appearance and plan, including the exterior walls around the former infirmary building.

A small number of poorhouses were built in Scotland between the years of 1848 and 1870, after the introduction of the 1845 Scottish Poor Law Act. Although there had been some poorhouses built before this, there was no national overseeing body and the care was inconsistent across the country. The Act instituted a central Board of Supervision to oversee the provision throughout Scotland. As a result, model plans were published for the construction of both rural and town poorhouses. Lochgilphead poorhouse is close in style to the model plans drawn up by Mackenzie and Mathews, being of two storeys and gables to break up the institutional appearance of the main front. Although each area slightly adapted these for its own requirements, the symmetry, gabled elevations and U-plan outline were widespread. With the change in legislation in the 20th century, many former poorhouses have been demolished or altered.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77782353

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

• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)