55 Dalhowan Street, Crosshill

This is a continuous row of mostly three-bay cottages located along the west side of Dalhowan Street in Crosshill. The cottages date primarily from the early 19th century and were originally built as part of a planned weaver's village, with many residents arriving from Ireland. They are mostly single storey, though some have dormers or attics, and a few are two storeys high. The cottages are constructed from painted rubble with contrasting margins, and some are raised.

The windows vary, including timber sash and case windows, along with some more recent replacements. The roofs are covered in grey slates, and there are gable and ridge stacks, some of which are raised with skews.

The row as a whole is notable for its striking and unusual appearance, retaining much of its original external character and relatively unaltered rooflines and window openings. Many of the cottages are asymmetrical, with two windows on one side of the entrance door and one on the other, reflecting that the original weaving room would typically accommodate two looms.

The village of Crosshill is considered the least altered example of a weaver’s village in Ayrshire, as documented in The Buildings of Scotland (2012). Number 83 Dalhowan Street is a later addition, constructed in 2004. The group value of these cottages is enhanced by their contribution to the streetscape and character of the village.