Description

Around 1875. Single storey and attic, 3-bay and roughly square plan cottage of clay and boulder walling, all rendered with contrasting painted margins. Central door in north elevation masked by later 19th century gabled porch with decorative bargeboards flanked by enlarged windows.

4-pane timber sash and case glazing throughout. Single centre coped ridge stack on steeply pitched thatched roof with pair of diminutive attic lights to the north.

Single storey lean-to extension across full length of rear of house with a dormer window breaking the eaves.

Interior not seen, 2014.

Statement of Interest

Windyhill is a good example of a late 19th century domestic building constructed in the vernacular style, and prominently located on the historic High Street. The building has a good streetscape presence with its distinctive architectural features to the exterior, such as the thatch roof and projecting porch. It survives predominantly as it was constructed in the late 19th century. Windyhill is unusual in the context of other 18th and 19th century buildings as it is the only remaining thatched building in the village.

Dating to the late 19th century, the building first appears partially constructed on the 1st Edition 25 inch Ordnance Survey map (surveyed 1878, published 1881), but is not however visible on the 1st Edition 6 inch Ordnance Survey map (surveyed 1869, published 1872). The census from 1881 indicates that a family was living there in that year. The building is evident on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map, surveyed 1903.

The Buildings of Scotland Highlands and Islands volume notes that Ardersier was laid out by the Campbells of Cawdor in the 18th century. Ardersier has its origins in the communities of Stuarton and Campbelltown. Its strategic position close to the narrowest sea crossing across the Moray Firth played a large part in its development from the mid-18th century. While it functioned primarily as a fishing village, the Jacobite Rising had an impact on its history.

The Jacobite Rising of 1745–6 proved to be the last attempt by the Stewart dynasty to regain the British throne from the Hanoverians. Following the Battle of Culloden, the government introduced ruthless measures to suppress Jacobite ambitions. Fort George was one of them, and it was built between 1748-69, just a short distance from Ardersier. It was designed as the main garrison fortress in the Scottish Highlands and named after King George II (1727–60). Intended as an impregnable army base, it was designed on a monumental scale, using sophisticated defence standards, with heavy guns covering every angle. Within the boundary walls was accommodation for a governor, officers, and artillery detachment and a 1,600-strong infantry garrison. It also housed more than 80 guns, a magazine for 2,500 gunpowder barrels, ordnance and provision stores, a brewhouse and a chapel.

The Statistical Account for the parish of Petty notes that, 'In the village of Campbelltown, which owes its birth to the garrison of Fort-George, there are 293 souls.' The ordnance survey map of 1881 (surveyed 1878) shows Ardersier under its previous names of Stuarton at the left side of the village, and Campbelltown, at the right side of the village. The village became known officially as Ardersier in the 1970s.

The impact of the building of Fort George for the community was significant. It provided a ready market for goods and a number of soldiers also decided to stay in Ardersier following their commission

Category changed from B to C, statutory address and listed building record revised in 2015. Previously listed as 'Ardersier Village, Windyhill, High Street'.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing

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

• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  The Shredded Chef: 120 Recipes for Building Muscle, Getting Lean, and Staying Healthy
• 
  London 6: Westminster (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England): Westminster v. 6
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair