Hayford Mills, Kersebonny Road, Cambusbarron, Stirling

Hayford Mills, Kersebonny Road, Cambusbarron, Stirling

Hayford Mills is a former woollen mill complex of circa 1860–80, now converted to residential dwellings. The ironwork was supplied by Wylie and Davie of Stirling Foundry (with their name cast into the beams in the weaving shed), and later by James Davie & Sons from 1873. The complex comprises two-, three- and four-storey brick-built mill buildings with red and white polychrome treatment. Glazing was originally six-pane (round-headed) or nine-pane, though windows have been altered and replaced throughout the conversion of circa 2003 (with further changes by 2022).

19–82 Hayford Mills: Engine House and Boiler House

This block dates from circa 1865–71 and comprises the former B4, B5, B6 mule spinning mill, later used as a store, transformer house and loading bay. It is four-storey with 25 bays on both the northwest and southeast elevations. The tenth bay and northeast stair bay (with three bays of First World War latrines to its right) projects from the former elevation; a later sheet metal-clad lift tower projects from the latter (both the latrines and lift tower have since been removed). Cast-iron tie-plates occur between alternate bays. There are six blind bays to the southwest. The northeast elevation features five tall arcaded bays with dentil cornice, twin pilaster angles, and a later lift tower in the centre (removed prior to 2022). A single-storey boiler house adjoins the northeast elevation.

The main block is built in polychrome brick with an ashlar cornice; the wall was partly slapped out at a later date to allow access to the mill. The engine house has rubble-built side and rear elevations with a polychrome brick front featuring three tall arched windows above the door. The boiler house and engine house originally had piended slate M-roofs with ridge ventilators to the boiler house, though both now lack roofs as of 2022.

The mill interior comprises three rows of 24 cast-iron columns with saddles, carrying crosswise timber beams, with lengthwise beams at the third floor. Steel reinforcements were later added to the lower floors. A fine stair is present. The boiler house and engine house have been stripped of interiors by 2022; the engine house was formerly noted as having an elaborate boarded and panelled ceiling with hooks and ornate ventilators. The entire block was converted to residential dwellings circa 2003.

30–39 Hayford Mills

Dating from circa 1865–70, this block is the former B11, B11A, B12, probably the dyehouse, later used as radio and lamp stores and workshop. It is a two-storey block measuring 21 by four bays, with first-floor round-arched windows, a cill course and dentil cornice. The seven westernmost bays appear to be a slightly later extension in the same style. A single-storey two-by-five bay piend-roofed outshot adjoined the northwest side but is no longer evident as of 2022. Blocks 9 and 10 are a new boiler house representing later extensions of lesser interest. The roof is piended M-form.

The interior contains a single row of cast-iron columns carrying composite twin timber beams tensioned by wrought iron. A new concrete floor and steel supports have been introduced. The block was converted to residential dwelling circa 2003.

1–24 Hayford Mills

This block dates from circa 1871–80 and comprises the former B14, B15, probably the finishing department, with a counting house and later stores, loading bay and office. It is a three-storey quadrilateral block measuring six by 12 bays (14 bays on the north elevation). The first floor has segmental-arched windows and the second floor has round-arched windows, both featuring Greek Key pattern and double dentil cornice above. Alternate bays are pilastered and polychrome wallhead stacks occur on the long elevations. A four-storey square-section hoist stands at the northwest angle with twin blind recessed arched bays and pyramidal roof. Three piended slate roofs cover the block.

The interior features two rows of cast-iron columns with pierced saddles carrying timber cross beams, later reinforced with brick and steel at the lower floors (apparently little power was required in this space). Open king post roofs are present. Two stairs served the blue and white collar workers respectively. The counting house at the southeast angle contains timber-boarded ceilings, fireplaces and shouldered arched lodge partitions. This block was converted to residential dwelling circa 2003.

Pond

The cooling pond dates from circa 1833–58 and comprises an oval rubble-built and coped structure. Filtering beds formerly lay either side. The pond was filled in and landscaped by 2022.

Boundary Features

A rubble-built boundary wall to the northwest of the mill incorporates square gatepiers belonging to the original mill of 1833. The gateway was blocked; both the boundary wall and gatepiers no longer appear to remain as of 2022.