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Summary

Description

Opened 1860; internal alterations later 20th century. Symmetrical 3- by 6-bay rectangular-plan, simple Gothic-style Free Church with advanced, angle-buttressed gableted tower centred at front; buttressed sides; single storey lean-to addition projecting at rear. Droved yellow sandstone ashlar to front; polished angled plinth; corniced eaves; roll-moulded, architraved hoodmoulds above chamfered openings (pointed-arched at ground; trefoil-headed at upper stages); moulded label-stops. Harl-pointed random rubble sandstone at sides and rear; stugged yellow sandstone quoins; stugged long and short surrounds to droved, trefoil-headed, chamfered openings.

NE (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: steps to advanced entrance bays centred at ground; boarded timber doors set in pointed-arch surrounds in bays to outer left and right; small single window set between; rectangular panel dated 1860 above; large trefoil-headed window at 2nd stage; flanking buttressed pinnacles; surmounting spire comprising architraved string course, gabled trefoil lucarnes with louvred openings, engaged columns to left and right; cast-iron wind-vein. Quatrefoil openings set in circular surrounds at 2nd stage in recessed bays to outer left and right.

SE (SIDE) ELEVATION: single storey lean-to projection in bay to outer left; single windows set between buttresses in remaining bays to right; 3 trefoil-headed lucarnes equally disposed above.

NW (SIDE) ELEVATION: 6 single trefoil-headed windows set between buttresses; 3 trefoil-headed lucarnes equally disposed above. Predominantly opaque glazing with metal glazing bars. Graded grey slate roof; slate-hung lucarnes; replacement rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: vestibule comprising central stone stair; raised door to gallery stairs at centre; flanking pointed-arched surrounds to church beyond (divided later 20th century to form small hall to front running NW-SE beneath gallery); remaining hall running SW-NE; open braced timber roof; boarded timber dado; timber pews; quatrefoil detailing set in raised panelled pulpit; ornate Gothic-style minister?s chair; gableted stop-chamfered newels; timber panelled gallery to NE.

BOUNDARY WALLS: low coped wall enclosing site.

Statement of Special Interest

Originally the Free Gaelic Church (see 1863 Ordnance Survey map). An impressive building on a prominent site, still relatively intact despite internal division and consequent lack of use of original space. Note the trefoil openings, buttressed spire, moulded label-stops and original timber fittings. Walker notes how it seems to "...break free from the cliff face" with "...an equivocating double-doored porch"(p160) - a most unusual entrance arrangement.

Rothesay is one of Scotland's premier seaside resorts, developed primarily during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and incorporates an earlier medieval settlement. The town retains a wide range of buildings characteristic of its development as a high status 19th century holiday resort, including a range of fine villas, a Victorian pier and promenade.

The history and development of Rothesay is defined by two major phases. The development of the medieval town, centred on Rothesay Castle, and the later 19th and early 20th century development of the town as a seaside resort. Buildings from this later development, reflect the wealth of the town during its heyday as a tourist destination, and include a range of domestic and commercial architecture of a scale sometimes found in larger burghs. Both the 19th and early 20th century growth of the town, with a particular flourish during the inter-war period, included areas of reclaimed foreshore, particularly along the coast to the east of the town and around the pier and pleasure gardens.

(List description revised as part of Rothesay listing review 2010-11).

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