Dunfermline’s Famous Linen Heritage

Dunfermline’s linen heritage dates back to the early 18th Century, but during the 19th Century, the Toun became a world leader in the manufacture of Damask linen. The scale of the industry was achieved through the introduction of steam power and Pilmuir Works was the first powered weaving linen mill in the town.

View of chimney stack located on the site of Pilmuir Works, Dunfermline

CLIENT / Marshall Construction and Byzantian Developments

ARCHITECT / Fraser/Livingstone Architects

BRIEF AND CONSTRUCTION / New homes within the restored Category A-listed former Damask linen factory

Buildings at Risk Register

Currently on Historic Environment Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register, the complex of buildings was in a ruinous state. Our work involves the restoration of the Category A-listed former warehouse and office building facing onto Pilmuir Street, to create 24 new homes as part of the wider Linen Quarter redevelopment works.

Interior view of old linen quarter building
Yard at Pilmuir Works
Site from the air - Pilmuir Works Dunfermline

Restored and Reimagined

The existing 2-storey stone facade is to be retained and restored, and a new varied brick clad extension added to the rear, facing onto a new landscaped courtyard. The material treatment of the new brick facade has been designed to respond sensitively to the restored stonework, while at the same time referencing the character and detailing to the toun’s last preserved industrial chimney that sits across the courtyard. The existing roof is removed and a new black zinc clad form is added, creating an articulated, modelled, civic corner condition, affording long views out and responding to primary routes through the town.

Working in partnership with Marshall Construction and Byzantian Developments, the project is due to commence on site in April 2021 with a completion scheduled for Spring 2022.

Pilmuir Works Existing Facade, from Pilmuir Street
Existing Facade

FLA TEAMAyla Riome, Coll Drury, Robin Livingstone, Malcolm Fraser

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERMcGregor McMahon Consulting Engineers

COST & PRINCIPAL DESIGNERDavid Adamson Group

Computer Render of Courtyard-facing Facade
Latest visual of internal courtyard facade