Mains of Letham Grange, Arbroath

Rectangular range of farm buildings in at least two development stages. All constructed in red sandstone with slated roofs. Home Farm to Letham Grange estate. Appears on the 1st edition (1:2;500 series) OS map, and on the 2nd edition as the extended footprint.

Low single storey outer range, with slightly advanced principle gabled entrance with weathervane, facing south-west. Two storey range, with presumably cart storage at ground floor, facing north west. Three parallel tall ranges facing north-east, each with long ventilators running along the ridges, louvered vents in each gable. Possible ventilator slated roofs. Appears on the 1st edition (1:2;500 series) OS map, extended and courtyard infilled by 2nd edition.

In the 13th century the lands of Letham were granted by the Abbey of Arbroath to Hugo Heem. Ownership of the land changed numerous times over the centuries and comprised a number of estates (Gazetteer for Scotland). In 1822 John Hay Esquire, former Provost of Arbroath, bought and consolidated Letham, Peebles and New Grange estates to form Letham Grange. Hay had a mansion built near the site of an earlier manor called Newgrange. The new mansion house, named Letham Grange, was designed by Archibald Simpson and built between 1827 and 1830. Hay died in 1869. Letham Grange was sold in 1876 to James Fletcher Esquire of Rosehaugh (1807-85). The house and estate remained in the ownership of the Fletcher family until the mid-20th century (Groome, p.502).

James Fletcher hired the architect John Rhind to extensively remodel the house and improve the estate between 1877 and 1885 (Dictionary of Scottish Architects; Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin Review). On his death the estate passed to his son Fitzroy Charles Fletcher (1858-1902) and improvement works continued by Alexander Ross, including considerable extensions to the Home Farm, the addition of large, heated greenhouses, and the construction of the stable block to the immediate west of the walled garden in around 1888 (Arbroath Herald and Advertiser, 1902). (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry for Letham Grange).

22 June 2022: External inspection finds this extensive complex appears either disused or in partial storage use. The north-western range is now partly roofless, the south-western range is roofed but the profile undulates, the ridge is missing in places, slates are beginning to slip. The taller ranges facing north-east roofs, appear intact. Rainwater goods are missing and buckled in places, chocked with vegetation in others. Dampness to walls beneath defective sections is evident, vegetation is establishing in walls and saplings are growing in close proximity to walls. Rooflights are widely broken. Timber elements are generally losing their protective painted finish, some sections lost to rot.