Stable Block, Panmurefield Cottages, Balmossie, Dundee

This is a row of four single-storey, three-bay cottages with a two-storey stable and industrial block attached to the west, dating from around 1839. The cottages are built of rubble with pink sandstone dressings, originally harled but now with much of the harling lost. They have grey slate roofs and ashlar and brick stacks. The western block is of coursed rubble whinstone with pink sandstone dressings, also originally harled and with a grey slate roof, hipped at the east end. The cottages contain 12-pane sash and case windows with painted margins, though some window frames are boarded or missing.

The south elevation shows the cottages to the right; each with a central door and flanking windows. There’s a stop-chamfered angle at the extreme right, a blank return elevation, and ridge tiles. The cottage furthest to the left is slightly higher, featuring vents and terracotta ridge tiles. The western block has a ground-floor door and three windows, and four windows on the first floor. An advanced bay of brick and rubble on the left side shows evidence of fire damage, while ventilators are visible at the ridge.

The west gable has two gabled bays, with a brick lean-to on the left concealing an entrance. A large door is located on the first floor, with a blank bay to the right.

The north elevation is blank on the cottages to the left, with lean-to projections. The block to the right has doors and various windows, and has been altered with various lean-to additions.

Internally, at least one cottage contains a cooking range. To the east of the western block is a four-stall stable with timber trevises, and a king post roof.

The site has a group value with Balmossie Mill, the Balmossie Road Bridge over the Dichty Water, the Bleachfield House/Tenement, and the Panmure Bleachfield Road Bridge over the Dichty Water. The Panmure bleachfield was established in 1839 by Daniel Drimmie of Aberdeen, evolving from earlier bleachfield operations at Balgillo held by the Wemys family. It closed in 1932. The cottages represent a good, though somewhat dilapidated, example of early 19th century workers’ housing. Other mainly ruinous remains of the bleachfield remain nearby, including a brick shed incorporating a dovecot.