Description

Robert Rowand Anderson, 1887. Community hall; L-plan to N; rectangular section to S; Scots 17th century style. Crowstepped gables throughout; harled; pebbledashed section to S. Ashlar surrounds to openings, stacks, quoins and eaves course.

W (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: pedimented ground floor window to left, breaking eaves; Earl of Elgin's Coronet and initials 'M L E' (Mary Louise, Countess of Elgin) in tympanum. Gable wall to right; tripartite window; taller central window with corniced pediment; tympanum inscribed; 'THE QUEENS HALL'. Window lintels inscribed; 'ERECTED IN THE JUBILEE YEAR OF QUEEN VICTORIA'. Ashlar chamfered corner to right; cyma recta cornice; inset panel with Elgin coat of arms. Pedimented window, breaking eaves in right return. Flat-roofed porch; 2-leaf glazed door between left L-plan section and right parallel section. Crowstepped gable set back to right; 1st floor window in apex. Gabled section in front; 2 basement windows; 3 windows above.

N ELEVATION: advanced central door; crowstepped porch; advanced flat-roofed window to left. Pedimented window to left; breaking eaves. Advanced gable to right; 2 windows; corniced gable apex stack; ashlar quoins.

E ELEVATION: advanced gable wall to left; window to left; blocked up window to right. Gable wall set back to right; tripartite window; taller central window with corniced pediment. Tall stack to left between parallel gable walls; corniced stack; ashlar quoins.

S ELEVATION: door to far right; 5 windows to left; blocked basement window to far left.

Varying glazing patterns; predominantly 12 and 6-pane timber sash and case windows. Pitched roofs; red clay tiles; ashlar crowsteps. 2 rooflights to S, 1 to N of S section. Projecting ventilation grilles in L-shaped section roof. Decorative cast-iron hoppers.

INTERIOR: not seen, 2000.

Statement of Interest

A-Group with 1-90 Charlestown Village, exluding 36-37 and 52-55 Charlestown Village; Charlestown, Bridge of Former Elgin Railway; Charlestown, Camsie House; Charlestown Harbour; Charlestown Harbour Road, Limekilns; Charlestown Village, K6 Telephone Kiosk; Charlestown, 8, 10, 14, The Sutlery, 16, 18 Rocks Road; Charlestown, 12 Rocks Road, The Old School House; Charlestown, Rocks Road, Former Estate Workshop and Charlestown, Rocks Road, Old School. Charlestown village was built by Charles, 5th Earl of Elgin (1732-1771) to the plan of the letter "K" and an elongated "E" and named after its founder. The Earl of Elgin exploited the nearby deposits of coal and limestone to create an industry which involved the establishment of the largest limeworks in Scotland, an iron foundry, brick works, the export of coal and coke, the necessary transport for the materials which included wagonways and the harbour and provided accommodation for the workers. The Earls of Elgin were clearly interested in the welfare of their employees; this is evident by the way in which the houses were grouped around a village green, each with a garden and the inclusion of the school and addition of The Queen's Hall to the village. The planned village has survived well and its importance is enhanced by the retention of its associated structures including The Queen's Hall, shop, limekilns and harbour. Built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, The Queen's Hall was gifted by the Dowager Countess of Elgin to the village. It had a hall, reading room, library and bowling green. Although the library was discontinued circa 1980, The Queen's Hall and bowling green continue to be used for their original purpose.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17816239

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)