Machrimore Smiddy, Southend

Unaltered mid 19th century estate-built smithy. Single-storey, 4 bays (3+1) containing forge and, to E, shoeing shop. Boarded 2-leaf door flanked by stone-mullioned bipartites; wider sliding door to shoeing shop at right is also boarded. Windows part shuttered, part glazed (upper part of each 4-pane). Rubble-built with ashlar dressing and raised margins. Slate roof with bracketted eaves and roof-lights; pair brick stacks and louvred axial roof ventilator.

Disused since 1960s, but interior intact (1990), including most of extensive range of original machinery and tools: forge and bellows on W gable; hand-powered beam-drill at bench fixed to SW window; gearing in attic-storey. The horse-frame in shoeing shop is an unusual survival. Corrugated iron-roofed lean-to on W gable. (Historic Scotland)

June 1990: External inspection reveals the smiddy to be in disrepair, having stood unused since the 1960s. The roof has several slipped slates and the timber sarking is rotten. Local planners report that new owners are undertaking minor repairs in order to minimise any further damage, until such time as they have funds to renovate fully. The adjacent smithy house is being restored as a dwelling and is not at risk. 2 September 1994: The Campbeltown Courier reports that the owners are raising funds for the renovation of the smiddy, which is supported by the Kintyre Civic Society. Glasgow University's Archaeological Department has expressed an interest in becoming involved in the project. The smiddy will be opening to the public as part of the annual Doors Open Days event. September 2001: Inspection reveals no change to the building fabric. The owners reiterate that the smiddy is not available for sale. October 2003: External inspection reveals no change. June 2006: The owner reports that planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the smiddy for residential use. It is anticipated that repair works to the roof and guttering will be progressed shortly.

November 2009: External inspection finds some roof and window defects are evident and there are no gutters. Some remedial works appear to have been carried out.

25 July 2012: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit. Full Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent were conditionally approved for restoration and conversion to a dwelling ref: 10/00052/PP & 10/00056/LIB March/ April 2010.

21 November 2012: The former smiddy (along with the smiddy house) is currently being marketed for sale through agents Stewart Balfour and Sutherland. The former smithy is being marketed with permissions for conversion to residential use at offers in the region of £100,000.

28 June 2016: Listed Building Consent for conversion to form a dwelling is being sought ref: 16/01703/LIB. The former smiddy is being marketed for sale alongside the (not at risk) former smiddy house, through agent Robb Residential.

2 March 2018: The property is noted on Robb Residential website as having been sold.

6 December 2018: External inspection finds the smiddy in much the same condition as seen previously. Deterioration continues. Property remains vacant and disused. There has been further slate loss and some damage to lead elements. Remain At Risk.