61-67, High Street, Rothesay

Symmetrical pair of 2-storey, 3-bay cottages forming low rectangular-plan terrace with shops at ground. Painted harl; painted margins; overhanging eaves. Pitched single storey, rectangular-plan, part whitewashed random rubble outbuilding at rear (No 65).

Previously listed as No 67 High Street and shop premises of Dugald H McFie; also shop plumbers. No 65 at rear owned by Bute Estate Office and leased to Nos 61 and 67 (building contractors). Formerly random rubble.

Rothesay is one of Scotland's premier seaside resorts, developed primarily during the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, and incorporates an earlier medieval settlement. The town retains a wide range of buildings characteristic of its development as a high status 19th century holiday resort, including a range of fine villas, a Victorian pier and promenade.

The history and development of Rothesay is defined by two major phases. The development of the medieval town, centred on Rothesay Castle, and the later 19th and early 20th century development of the town as a seaside resort. Buildings from this later development, reflect the wealth of the town during its heyday as a tourist destination, and include a range of domestic and commercial architecture of a scale sometimes found in larger burghs. Both the 19th and early 20th century growth of the town, with a particular flourish during the inter-war period, included areas of reclaimed foreshore, particularly along the coast to the east of the town and around the pier and pleasure gardens.

(List description revised as part of Rothesay listing review 2010-11). (Historic Scotland)

30 August 2012: External inspection finds the building is generally sound with a roof that is very poor in places - many missing, broken or slipped slates particularly to the outbuilding to rear. Gutters and rainwater pipes to rear are in poor condition. Only one section of the building appears to be in active use, the rest is disused.

31 May 2016: Listed Building Consent for external repairs and some demolition of later rear extensions is being sought with a view to enabling the full re-use of the site ref: 16/00873/LIB.

15 May 2017: Listed Building Consent for alterations to form a residential education centre is being sought ref: 17/00897/LIB.