Following the launch of trove.scot in February 2025 we are now planning the retiral of some of our webservices. Canmore will be switched off on 24th June 2025. Information about the closure can be found on the HES website: Retiral of HES web services | Historic Environment Scotland
Gowanbank Steading And Cottage
Cottage (19th Century), Farmstead (19th Century)
Site Name Gowanbank Steading And Cottage
Classification Cottage (19th Century), Farmstead (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Gowan Bank
Canmore ID 247436
Site Number NS97SW 25.01
NGR NS 91631 71192
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/247436
- Council West Lothian
- Parish Torphichen
- Former Region Lothian
- Former District West Lothian
- Former County West Lothian
Gowanbank, 1842-62, Sir James Gowans
James Gowans' seat. Re-casting of a plain, c.1820 farmhouse belonging to the architect's mason-father, Walter Gowans. Extended into a tight U-plan and transformed in character. Plain roof modulated by rows of hungry corbels, tall ashlar chimneystacks and a gradual change in stone from coarse masonry to random rubble. The steading, cartshed, dairy and cottage are in more mature Gowans; panelled façade, the rubble completely variegated, different coloured, each stone in its allotted bed. Chimneys random rubble within panelling. Chamfered corner windows, stone used for stringcourses and other details is not polished ashlar but left rude and hungry. The house at the east end of the byre bears the inscription Heb 111:4 - For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. Eccles, 11:4 1 August 1862. Gowans' rigorous 2ft module underpins everything. Restored in the 1990s as five houses by William A Cadell & Douglas Davidson
Taken from "West Lothian: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Stuart Eydmann, Richard Jaques and Charles McKean, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
