Carron Company Clocktower, Stenhouse Road, Carron

Crow-step gabled, clock-tower remnant of the Baronial style offices of the Carron Company Ironworks. Bull-faced, snecked sandstone with moulded ashlar dressings. Deep roll-moulded segmental-arched pend; triple-light window above; company crest and date panel with monogram to gable apex. Square clock turret with black and gold faces, dentiled cornice and canon-mouldings to corners. Bell-cast pyramidal roof with weathervane finial. 18th century iron remnants inserted into stonework to either side of pend. Cement render to sides and rear. Later (circa 1992) single-storey additions flanking.

4-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. Graded grey Scottish slate.

When originally listed in 1988, the building comprised a substantial, 53 bay office block in the Stirling-School Scottish Baronial style. It was Stirling born architect Robert Baldie´s largest commission. The central gabled clock-tower bay was retained following demolition of the rest of the building in 1990. Isolated from its former architectural context, this remnant is now an unusual local landmark. It retains its listed status primarily for its special historic interest and serves as a reminder of the major role the company played during the 18th and 19th century industrial revolution, both from a local and international perspective. Interest is added by an iron lintel from the first blast furnace on the site, dated 1760, which has been inlaid into the stonework beside the pend. On the opposite side is part of a cylinder cast in 1766 for James Watt, the steam engine designer. The panel above contains the company´s crest with its crossed canons and phoenix rising from the flames with the company motto above, 'Esto Perpetua´ (Let it Endure Forever). Established in 1759, the Carron Company ironworks was hugely significant in the fortunes of Falkirk, underpinning its rapid development. By 1810, it was the largest ironworks in Europe, employing over 2,000 workers. The company´s prosperity grew with the mass-production of the hugely successful 'Carronade´ short-barrel canon, produced continuously between 1778 and 1850 and used to great effect in numerous naval and military campaigns. Carron continued to produce munitions in both World Wars, diversifying into plastics and steel in the later 20th century. The company went into receivership in 1982. (Historic Scotland)

14 October 2013: The industrial complex on the site of the former Carron works is being marketed for lease through DM Hall. The clocktower would appear to form part of the area for lease. It is unclear how long the site has been disused for. One window is open on the clocktower and pigeons can be seen roosting in the building through it. Some plant growth in gutters. Otherwise the structure would appear to be in fair condition but disused. For Investigation.

13 March 2015: External inspection finds overall the building is in fair condition but rainwater goods are clogged with weeds and timber elements are in need of extensive maintenance. One window remains open allowing pigeons free access to the interior. The clock does not appear to be in working order. The modern single storey additions have roofs in very poor condition. The ground floor of the tower retains artefacts relating to the Carron Ironworks, otherwise the building does not appear to have a use.

15 August 2019: External inspection finds the clock tower – a remnant of the former office building to Carron Works – overall in fair condition. The roof appears to remain sound, the site is secure - the display on the Carron Works history is intact. However, gutters are being blocked with heavy vegetation growth and pigeons are entering the tower through a broken window – these issues have been identified in previous site visits and suggest a limited maintenance/ repair regime is in place. To the rear of the tower are disused industrial units (other units within the wider site occupied) and two modern gatehouses to either side of the tower are disused and vandalised. Move to At Risk.

Post-survey update: Local planners advise they have previously been in contact with the building owner to discuss maintenance and repairs at the structure. Falkirk Council recently commissioned a condition survey of the clock tower, the survey findings will be shared with the owner once completed.