Latitude: 56.2032 / 56°12'11"N
Longitude: -3.4212 / 3°25'16"W
OS Eastings: 311929
OS Northings: 702087
OS Grid: NO119020
Mapcode National: GBR 1Z.F5CW
Mapcode Global: WH6RB.FB3W
Plus Code: 9C8R6H3H+7G
Entry Name: Clocktower, High Street, Kinross
Listing Name: The Clock Tower, High Street
Listing Date: 5 October 1971
Category: B
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 381049
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB36297
Building Class: Cultural
Also known as: Kinross, High Street, Clocktower
ID on this website: 200381049
Location: Kinross
County: Perth and Kinross
Town: Kinross
Electoral Ward: Kinross-shire
Traditional County: Kinross-shire
Tagged with: Architectural structure
1751; clock added 1875. Fine early 4-stage, tower with corbelled balustrade and broach spire, originally attached to former Kinross Parish Church, now attached to former Post Office building. Squared and coursed red sandstone rubble to entrance elevation, coursed rubble elsewhere, with contrasting grey sandstone ashlar quoins and dressings. Dividing courses to N, corbelled balustrade. Round-headed Gibbsean-type doorpiece with relief carved keystone, similar surround to 1st stage window incorporating panel with lion rampant forming cill apron.
PRINCIPAL (N) ELEVATION: timber door to centre with semicircular fanlight incorporating circular panel with carved thistle; carved keystone breaking into dividing course; 2nd stage with carved panel below window; blind 3rd stage giving way to top stage with clock face and round-arched, timber-louvered belfry.
INTERIOR: now (2010) accessed from 1st floor of Town Hall. Later concrete stair at 1st stage, timber stair to each stage above leading to belfry with complete clock workings and inscribed brass plate dated 1875 and listing names of 'Police Commissioners of the Burgh of Kinross'.
8-pane glazing pattern with decorative top light in fixed timber window. Grey slates and cockerel weathervane.
The Clock Tower is part of a B group with the Carnegie Library, former Town Hall and Post Office (see separate listings) which represent the former civic centre of Kinross Burgh. This prominent Clock tower is set at the centre of Kniross and forms a striking visual markler of the civic buildings which characterise this part of the town, with the former Town Hall, Carnegie Library and Post office all immediately adjacent (see separate listings). The Clock Tower is the only surviving element of the 1742-3 Parish Church. The building links internally with the former Town Hall and compliments the small group of buildings at the civic heart of the town, which also includes the Carnegie Public Library and Fountain (see separate listings).
The Statistical Account of 1834-45 notes in 1742, 'The Steeple Committee', with the Reverend Robert Stark as chairman 'was in contemplation to build a new church, a steeple might with great propriety be added thereto'. The steeple was completed in 1751, and in -1758 'The principal Lord of the Chapmen' compeared (sic), and gave half a crown for carrying on the finishing of the steeple,' which seems to have been the addition of a vane or weathercock'.
List description revised 2011.
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