Kirkcudbright, Creamery

NX 683 514 A programme of archaeological work was undertaken September – October 2012 at the former creamery, Merse Road prior to its demolition. The creamery was opened by the Stewartry Dairy Association in October 1921 and by 1931 was the largest co-operative creamery in Scotland. The Scottish Milk Marketing Board bought the creamery in 1933 and in 1934 the Scottish Milk Powder Company set up a drying plant next to the creamery. In 1961 the Scottish Milk Marketing Board took over the management of both operations. The powdered milk unit closed in 1978 but operations at the creamery continued to be run by Scottish Pride (1986–1997), Express Dairies (1997–2002) and Milk Link (2002–2010).

The original building consisted of a long two-storey rectangular structure, aligned SE–NW, with a further one-storey building attached to the rear, aligned NE–SW. Small extensions were made to this building in the mid 1930’s with the construction of a drying plant and house. Further additions were then made to both buildings in the 1950s/1960s, the largest of which were the areas associated with the production of UHT milk. Buildings and extensions continued to be added until 2008, with many of the areas/buildings changing their function over the years.

Archive: RCAHMS. Report: Dumfries and Galloway SMR

Funder: Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership Ltd

Rebecca Shaw, Rebecca Shaw Archaeological Services

2012

Kirkcudbright creamery in its present form dates from after 1950. Owned by Milk Link, it closed in January 2010. The main office block was damaged by fire on 8th December 2011.

Information from RCAHMS (MMD), 20 December 2011.