External Reference

Date 8 July 1988

Event ID 962266

Category Documentary Reference

Type External Reference

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/962266

Probably James Miller 1889-1894. Single storey, near-symmetrical island station buildings. Long rectangular-plan. Painted base course; brick plinth; timber-framed with scalloped shingle walling. Panelled angle pilasters. Bipartite and canted windows, now blocked and painted.

S AND N ELEVATIONS: identical elevations; single and bipartite windows; 2 canted windows; door with fanlight.

E AND W ELEVATIONS: door at centre with 3-light fanlight; flanking shingled panels; glazed screens to outer left and right.

Painted frosted glass (later). Swept eaves extend on carved consoles to form deep awning; slate roof, terracotta finials, ridging; brick ridge stacks.

CONTROL BOX: small square-plan signal box in similar style to S of station building. Red brick plinth; glazed timber framed upper panels; 3 fixed 9-pane glazing. Piended slate roof, lead flashings; projecting eaves, exposed rafters.

SUBWAY: entry to station via subway to S of station. Concrete and reconstituted stone subway with concrete parapet; curved concrete entrance.

GATES AND RAILINGS: ornate 2-leaf cast-iron gate leading to station; plain cast-iron fencing.

References:

F A Walker and F Sinclair NORTH CLYDE ESTUARY (1992), p101, 120. JRIBA Miller obituary. G Dow THE STORY OF THE WEST HIGHLAND (1947). John McGregor ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF THE WEST HIGHLAND RAILWAY (1994).

Notes:

The West Highland Railway which runs between Craigendoran and Fort William was opened in 1894. Arrochar and Tarbet station, like Garelochhead, is of the island platform type introduced by Charles De Neuville Forman, the engineer of the West Highland Railway. The station building may be by James Miller, although Robert Wemyss may have been the designer while working with J J Burnet. The Swiss-style architecture and island platform were deliberately chosen to fit with the scenic route covered by the railway. The original shingle was said to have been imported from Switzerland. The station master's house is listed separately. This station, along with that at Garelochhead, is one of the few remaining examples of the Swiss-style architecture adopted by the West Highland Railway. Tulloch Station is detailed similarly. The stations were originally glazed with small-pane windows.

Information from Historic Scotland, 8 July 1988