Berwickshire Architecture : Balconies at Burnmouth

Image: © Richard West Taken: 21 Jun 2011

An unexpected delight - some pastel painted postwar modernism in a remote coastal location. I had an inkling that this could be an early work by Basil Spence or someone of that ilk and, sure enough, a quick search of RCAHMS, and Historic Scotland websites confirmed this as Basil Spence, 1948: "A relatively intact example of Basil Spence's post-war council housing. Although not as obviously 'Scottish' as his more renowned work at Dunbar, Lower Burnmouth displays a similar attempt to combine old and new - the coloured harl, sandstone pilasters and tiled roof being set against the cantilevered balconies, thin iron railings and flush casement windows (most of which are used again in New Lane, Newhaven, 1957 - see separate list entry, Edinburgh). Like all Spence's later housing schemes, Lower Burnmouth combined practicality and modernity - accommodating fishing stores and fishermen in a high quality terrace specifically designed to take advantage of its sea views. Edwards dates the Burnmouth Housing Scheme to 1932. However, this is a separate scheme by Kininmonth and Spence which bears some resemblance to the development to the SE known as Cowdrait and Ross. Title deeds in possession of a current occupant suggest Lower Burnmouth itself dates from the mid 20th century" Source : Historic Scotland

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