Coupar Angus, Pleasance Road, Strathmore Tannery

Strathmore Tannery, situated on the southern periphery of Coupar Angus, had been mostly demolished by the date of visit. Originally, the tannery had buildings covering an area of some 505 square metres (Ordnance Survey first edition 25-inch map, Perth and Clackmannan Perthshire, 1867, sheet LXIV.13 (combined)). By 1901 (Ordnance Survey 2nd edition 25-inch map, Perth and Clackmannan Perthshire, 1901, sheet LXIV.13), it covered an area of 2015.7 square metres (21702.8 square feet) in buildings, although the site extent of had increased during this period with the incorporation of the southern part of the former Drying Green. The Tannery also appears to have utilised the 'Mill Lade', depicted and named on the Ordnance Survey map (Ordnance Survey 2nd edition 25-inch map, Perth and Clackmannan Perthshire, 1901, sheet LXIV.13) which was fed by the Kettins Burn and emptied into the Coupar Burn at NO21938 39745. This lade also served the Waulk Mill at NO22164 39703.

The remaining part of the original long range, centred at NO22172 39588, had lost its east end which had originally extended to the east boundary of the site. This four-storey rubble-masonry tannery with a wooden louvered top floor, wooden beams, king-post roof and cast-iron columns contained remains of a drive-shaft and electric motor on the first floor above, a chute from the fourth through the mezzannine level to the first floor 'taking-in' door. The louvered fourth floor is where the hides would have been dried after currying, cleaning and tentering.

This remaining process building was photographed by RCAHMS in advance of demolition, including a later building to the north (NO22166 39615, mid 20th- century) and a shed to the east (NO22200 39618, post 1901) both of which occupy a piece of land depicted and named as 'Drying Green' on the Ordnance Survey first edition 25-inch map (Perth and Clackmannan Perthshire, 1867, sheet LXIV.13 (combined)) but un-named on the Ordnance Survey 2nd edition 25-inch map (1901).

Visited by RCAHMS (MMD/IA), 2009

This was photographed by RCAHMS in 2009 in advance of the proposed demolition of the last remaining building of Strathmore Tannery.

Information from RCAHMS (MMD), 16 February 2012.

NO 22180 39624 A Level 2 survey was carried out on 29 April 2013 of the surviving buildings in the Strathmore Tannery complex prior to redevelopment. A written and photographic record was produced of all the buildings.

Archive: RCAHMS

Funder: Mr P Thomson, Proactive

Derek Hall, 2013

(Source: DES)