Former Schoolroom, Freuchan Lane, Gartmore

Loch Lomond And Trossachs National Park Planning Authority

Possibly early 18th century, asymmetrical single storey building with thick random rubble walls and slightly battered base. According to Gartmore residents, it served as a schoolroom for the village before the present school was built in the mid-1840s. Situated at the end of the garden of Briar Cottage (not currently listed, 2004), it faces on to the lane that leads to Freuchan. In 1719 the Scottish Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge (SSPCK) opened a school in Gartmore and, according to local residents, there is reason to believe that it was located in this building. Of early date and local importance as the first school in the planned estate village of Gartmore, which was laid out by the Grahams of Gartmore House in the 18th century.

The SW elevation faces on to Freuchan Lane and is composed of a timber boarded door to right with concrete lintel. Single 6-pane timber window to centre of SE (garden) elevation with 2 rooflights above, various blocked window openings to NW and SE elevations. The NE gable is blank. The slate roof is piended to SW, pitched to NE; presumably it was originally gabled at both ends. The timber roof joists were replaced in circa 1900 and the roof re-slated in the 1980s, at which point the gablehead stack to the NE gable was removed. Internally, there is an earth floor and fireplace with large stone lintel.