Site Report

WoSASPIN 19255

Built circa 1760 for the salt boiling industry, as the Maryburgh Salt Works, probably salt pans with housing above. Pair parallel blocks linked by (? later) wall which has been heightened and which was originally open at centre. Arrangement is broadly symmetrical. Blocks are 2-storey, rectangular-plan, gabled, with end stacks, rubble-built with squared dressings (south block part harled), each block with wide opening in west gable at low level (timber-lintelled at south, concrete at north); also forestairs; slate roofs; deep skews with moulded skewputts suggest roof covering may originally have been pantiles or thatch.
Although what remains is incomplete, Whatley describes surviving buildings as "certainly the most complete upstanding remains of the (saltboiling) industry on the west coast". In fact, they appear to be most complete to survive in Scotland. The Prestwick burgh/records of 12th February 1480 uses the term "salt pan hous" which suggests the existence of the industry locally by that time. The burgh records also discussed applications for erecting of salt pans on 25th June 1763 and 7th Sept. 1765 (Information provided by Kyle & Carrick civic society).
Whatley, CA, 1987, The Scotish Salt Industry 1570-1850
Derived from HS Listed Buildings data.
Entered WoSAS (CF) 13/11/00

In 2002/3 this site was examined as part of the Coastal Zone Assesment Survey of the Firth of Clyde (GUARD/CRG for HS,Firth of Clyde Forum and the SCAPE Trust). The site was visited on 06/01/2003 its location was/is '<50m from the coast' The sites condition was noted as 'Fair' and the erosion class of the coast at this point is noted as 'Stable' (HS defined erosion classes) Further action reccomended by GUARD/CRG for this site is 'Survey' .

A 45. Built circa 1760 for the salt boiling industry the buildings were probably salt pans with housing above. The blocks are 2-storey, rectangular in plan, gabled, with end stacks. The buildings are well preserved.
Sneddon, D., 'Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Firth of Clyde', GUARD, 2003
Entered WoSAS (MO'H) 11/04/08