General view from W showing whitewashed cotton workers' cottages at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 John Street, Rothesay, Bute

Description General view from W showing whitewashed cotton workers' cottages at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 John Street, Rothesay, Bute

Date 21/5/2012

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number DP 139571

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content Rothesay was an industrial town and commercial port long before its expansion due to tourism. The earliest industries set up to take advantage of the water supply from the Water of Fad, and in 1779, Scotland's second cotton mill was established in Rothesay by James Kenyon. A number of small mills were established, basing themselves around Barone Road, Russell Street and Mill Street. The focus for the town's industry remains in this vicinity today. The four single-storeyed, three-bayed, terraced cottages (to the left) on John Street were built in 1805 by the Cotton Mill Society (plaque between 2 and 3 John Street) and are an unusual example of millworkers' housing in Rothesay. The slightly larger 5 John Street (right) was added c.1935 but replicates the features of the other four cottages. All have been refurbished in the late 20th century but retain the original six-over-six timber sash and case windows and whitewashed harling. All windows and doors have stepped hoodmoulds above them. There are several small developments which appear to have been built to house local industrial workers in the cotton and other mills in the town. Most lie within the Industrial Area of Townscape Character, though this group is the only example of its type in the town.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1304800

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap