Recording Your Heritage Online
Event ID 563671
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Recording Your Heritage Online
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/563671
Balmacara Square Small hamlet north of the former kitchen garden and woodland walks, occupying the site of an old cattle gathering stance at the foot of Sgur Mhor. Its name comes from the home farm complex, restored and converted by Wittets Architects, 2000, for the National Trust for Scotland. (For more on the NTS's croft reclamation and other initiatives here, see p.194). The focus of the Square is a long steading surmounted by an Italianate ashlar tower, c.1820, now five flats. Earlier U-plan ranges to its rear are now work units and a small interpretation centre. The dwelling range (two houses), possibly of 18th century origin, runs forwards at right angles, but was never matched by a corresponding wing; instead, there is a detached hay barn, c.1820 (now converted), and (restored) millpond. Behind, a derelict mill.
[Balmacara home farm was turned into crofts c.1918 (although some of these reverted back to a farm, c.1954). In the spirit of former laird Sir Daniel Hamilton, the NTS is currently engaged in 'one of the most exciting and innovative integrated rural development projects in its history'. It has reorganised the township, splitting up 300 acres of redundant home farm land and creating eight new crofts for local people. It has restored the buildings and rescusitated the millpond, dam, lade and ice house. This £1.3 million scheme has been carried out in partnership with the community.]
Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
