Description

James Lindsay for Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, 1913-18. Single storey/single storey with attic and 2-storey; asymmetrical; recreational institute built into sloping ground. Free Renaissance design with pilastered mullioned and transomed windows and breaking-eaves dormer-heads with shouldered pediment-like gables. Coursed stugged sandstone with droved ashlar dressings. Base course and ground floor cill band to principal (N) wraparound elevation; band course above ground floor windows to E elevation; eaves cornice throughout. Chamfered reveals to openings.

PRINCIPAL (N) ELEVATION: 7-bay. 3-bay single storey section to left; entrance with moulded segmental-headed architrave and stepped corniced parapet set forward slightly to right; flanking pilasters support broken-bed segmental pediment with consoles carved with lions' heads and fruit; steps up to 2-leaf panelled part-glazed timber door with fanlight set back within short lobby. Pair of 9-light mullioned and transomed breaking-eaves windows to left; each slightly projecting within ashlar surround and with shouldered pediment-like gable and flanking pilasters. Narrow flanking outer windows with corniced panels at head. Stepped corniced parapet continues to left of entrance and as frieze across ground floor windows to 3-bay single storey and attic section to right; mullioned and transomed sexpartite slightly projecting within ashlar surround and with flanking pilasters to each bay. Mullioned bipartite breaking-eaves dormer to each bay above; that to centre has curved segmental head; those flanking are piended. Single bay set back to outer right; entrance with deep corniced lintel; small window to right.

S ELEVATION: 6-bay. 5-bay section to left set forward slightly with slightly projecting 2nd and 3rd bays; mullioned bipartite to ground floor to each bay; mullioned and transomed sexpartite above to central and flanking outer bays; tall 12-light mullioned and transomed breaking-eaves windows in between; each recessed slightly within flanking pilasters and with shouldered pediment-like gable. Gambrel-roofed section set back to outer right; triple window arrangement to ground floor; linked by vertical panel to window centred above.

E ELEVATION: irregular fenestration to 2-storey 6-bay section set forward to left; mullioned bipartites to 1st floor to 3 bays to right (that to outer right breaking-eaves); narrow windows and mullioned bipartites to ground floor, apart from mullioned and transomed quadriparite to outer right. Mullioned breaking-eaves tripartite to right return. Shouldered gable end set back to right; 9-light mullioned and transomed window with raised panel at head surmounted by open-bed segmental pediment.

W ELEVATION: 2-bay section to left; entrance with moulded architrave with broken dentilled cornice surmounted by parapet-like panel; mullioned tripartite above to left. Lower height section adjoins to right; pair of mullioned bipartites to left; flat-headed breaking-eaves mullioned tripartite to right; angled bay to outer right with mullioned bipartite and small window below. Mullioned quadripartite to right return. Shouldered gable end set back to right; 9-light mullioned and transomed window with raised panel at head surmounted by open-bed segmental pediment.

UPVC replacement windows throughout. Graded grey slate roofs (some piended) with red ridge tiles. Corniced ashlar stacks with band courses to either side of 3-bay single storey and attic section to N side; narrow wallhead stack to E and one at junction of 2 sections to S; cans largely missing; modern brick flue to E of centre of building. Original cast-iron rainwater goods with decorative hoppers.

INTERIOR: retains original main staircase with cast-iron balustrade incorporating Art Nouveau motifs. Segmental-arched trusses to ceiling of main hall, which is partially open to roof.

Statement of Interest

An intact early 20th century public building of free Renaissance design (incorporating some Baroque elements). One of a number of recreational institutes built locally by the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust to bring some 'sweetness and light' into the lives of the local people (McEwan). The bowling green to the S was originally laid out for the Institute. It was designed to accommodate a wash house, ladies' and gents' baths, a billiard room, a smoke room, a recreation and reading room, a children's room and a lounge.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77777110

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

• 
  Suffolk: East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)