Stone and stone-faced buildings

Selection of stone details

Whilst patent building components and standardised plan forms and building practices were being shared and adopted nationally and internationally, it is clear that local architects, surveyors and builders still predominantly worked with local stone as their main building material where it was available, especially in Scotland. It is also clear that in the main, the designers of these buildings, although often won in national competitions, were generally practicing close to the site.

The specification of a local quarry was often noted favourably in local press reports of the building’s procurement for its associated economic benefits. In harsher climates, such as the Shetland Isles, it was common for stone buildings to be finished in roughcast render for further weather protection.

This study has not identified every quarry, nor every stone used but by noting the colour and texture of the masonry visually, it demonstrates clear regional consistencies as seen on our map as well as the relatively local association of the architects identified in the table below.

Library’s nameDesigned byofMaterialPostcode
Aberdeen – Dyce Branch LibraryWilliam Dalton Ironside, Messrs Walker and George James Duncan AberdeenGraniteAB21 7AY
Aberdeen – Ferryhill Branch LibraryArthur Clyne, A. Brown, A. WattAberdeenGraniteAB11 6UP
Aberdeen – Torry Branch LibraryArthur Clyne, A. Brown, A WattAberdeenGraniteAB11 9NJ
Aberdeen Central LibraryAlexander Brown and George WattAberdeenGraniteAB25 1GW
Abergavenny LibraryB.J. FrancisAbergavennyGrey and yellow sandstoneNP7 5BD
Aberystwyth LibraryWalter G. PaytonBirminghamRed and grey sandstoneSY23 2BT
AdvieGranitePH26 3LP
Airdrie “new” Library John Maurice ArthurAirdrieYellow sandstone and graniteML6 0AG
Airdrie Arts Centre (Old Library)George ArthurAirdrieRed sandstoneML6 0AA
Almondbury LibraryK.F. Campbell (Borough Engineer)HuddersfieldYellow sandstoneHD5 8XB
Annan LibrarySir George Washington BrowneEdinburghRed sandstoneDG12 6AA
Annfield Plain LibraryEdward CratneyWillington-upon-TyneYellow sandstoneDH9 8EZ
Arbroath Academy and Public LibraryJames BlackDundeeRed sandstoneDD11 1AH
Ardrishaig Public Hall and Literary InstituterenderPA30 8EY
Atherstone Yellow sandstoneCV9 1AX
Ayr Carnegie Library Campbell Douglas & MorrisonGlasgowRed sandstoneKA8 8EB
Banff Library C.W. CrosserBanffYellow sandstoneAB45 1AE
Barnoldswick (Earby) Library Yellow sandstoneBB18 6Qx
BarrJohn ArthurGlasgowRenderKA26 9TW
Barrow in Furness LibraryAlderman John CharlesBarrow-in-FurnessYellow sandstoneLA14 1LL
Batley Library Walter Hanstock & SonBatleySandstoneWF17 5DA
Beattock Summitt, CrawfordRubble and red sandstoneDG10 9QZ
Bettyhill Library RenderKW14 7SU
Birmingham – Kings Heath (Moseley) LibraryArthur Gilbey LathamBirminghamSandstoneB14 7SW
Birmingham – Northfield LibraryCharles Edward Bateman & Alfred HaleBirminghamYellow sandstoneB31 2LB
Birmingham – Stirchley LibraryJohn P. OsborneBirminghamYellow sandstoneB30 2JT
Bo’ness Carnegie Library John More Dick Peddie & Sir George Washington BrowneEdinburghYellow sandstoneEH51 9NJ
BollingtonSandstoneSK10 5JX
Bolton – Halliwell Henderson & BrownBoltonRed sandstone and terracottaBL1 3BU
Bolton upon Dearne (Dearne and Wombwell Boxing Club)John Walker WilsonBolton-upon-DearneYellow sandstoneS63 8AB
Bonar Bridge LibraryJohn Pond MacdonaldInvernessYellow sandstoneIV24 3EA
Bonnyrigg Library Greig, Fairbairn & MacnivenEdinburghRed sandstone and renderEH19 3AD
Bridgwater LibraryErnest Godfrey PageBridgewaterGrey and yellow sandstone, renderTA6 3LF
Bristol: Shirehampton Libraryhttps://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/button/search-white.pngFrederick Bligh BondBristolYellow sandstoneBS11 9TU
BrydekirkRenderDG12 5LY
Brynmawr LibraryFrancis Ross BatesNewportGrey sandstone, yellow brick and yellow terracottaNP23 4AJ
Burnley Library George Hartley and Arthur Race (Borough Engineer)Barrow-in-FurnessYellow sandstoneBB11 2BD
Burntisland LibraryWilliam Williamson (City Architect) BradfordYellow sandstoneKY3 9AS
Burra (Hamnavoe)RenderZE2 9LA
Cardiff – Canton LibraryEdwin Montgomery Bruce VaughanCardiffGrey sandstone and limestoneCF5 1QD
Cardiff – Cathays LibrarySpeir & BevanCardiffGrey sandstone and limestoneCF24 4PW
CarronCharles Chree DoigElginGraniteAB38 7QP
Castle Douglas LibraryJohn More Dick Peddie & Sir George Washington BrowneEdinburghRed sandstoneDG7 1AE
Cheadle Hume Library SandstoneSK8 5AU
Cheshunt LibraryJ. Myrtle SmithLondonRed sandstoneEN8 8LB
ChillatonRubblestone with Brick DressingsPL16 0HP
ClackmannanEbenezer SimpsonStirlingRed sandstoneFK10 4JA
ClashmoreYellow sandstone, render and timberframeIV25 3RG
Cleator Moor Library E.M. MartindaleWorkingtonYellow sandstoneCA25 5AP
Clitheroe Library  S. Butterworth & W.H. DuncanRochdaleYellow sandstoneBB7 2DG
Clydebank LibraryAlexander McInnes Gardner & Robert WhyteGlasgowYellow sandstoneG81 1XH
Coalsnaughton John Shaw LeishmanAlloaRenderFK13 6JW
Coatbridge LibraryAlex Cullen, Lochhead & BrownGlasgowRed sandstoneML5 3AW
Cockermouth LibraryA. Marsh (Son of Cockermouth District Surveyor)CockermouthPurple sandstoneCA13 9LU
Coedpeth BershamWilliam MossWrexhamPennant stoneLL11 3TD
Craigellachie (Major) William H DoigElginBlue SandstoneAB38 9SW
Cromarty Library (Hugh Miller Institute)Alexander Ross & Robert John MacbethInvernessRed and yellow sandstoneIV11 8XA
Croy near GollanfieldGeorge Logie InvernessGraniteIV2 5FP
Cubitt Town LibraryCharles Harold NortonLondonLimestoneE14 3HG
Cullivoe Shetland (North Yell)RenderZE2 9BB
Cunningsburgh ShetlandRenderzE2 9HB
Darwen Library and TheatreFred Harrison & Charles Spencer HaywoodAccringtonSandstoneBB3 3BU
Deiniolen Carnegie LibraryAlbert Henry Fennell (Fennell and Baddiley)Chester-le-StreetRenderLL55 3HU
Dingwall LibraryWilliam Cumming JoassDingwallYellow sandstoneIV15 9SB
Dolgellau Mill Street Free LibraryEdmund Auguste FermaudLondonStuccoLL40 1EY
Doncaster – Mexborough library Red and white sandstoneS64 9QD
Drumoak Library William Dalton Ironside, Messrs Walker and George James Duncan AberdeenGraniteAB31 5ED
Dudley – Quarry Bank library Red sandstoneDY5 2JP
Dumbarton LibraryWilliam ReidDumbartonYellow sandstoneG82 1BD
Dundee – Arthurstone Community LibraryWilliam Alexander (City Architect) & James ThomsonDundeeRed sandstoneDD4 6RT
Dundee – Blackness LibraryJames  Thomson & Frank Drummon ThomsonDundeeRed sandstoneDD2 1EJ
Dundee – St Roque’s Library James Thomson with William CarlessDundeeYellow sandstoneDD4 6AT
Dundee Central Reading Room (The McManus Collections Unit / Barrack Street Museum)James Thomson with William CarlessDundeeYellow sandstoneDD1 1PG
Dunfermline Carnegie LibraryJames Campbell Walker extended 1914-21 by James Shearer EdinburghYellow sandstoneKY12 7NL
DunrossnessRenderZE2 9JW
Eccles GatewayEdward Potts (Potts Son & Hennings)OldhamLimestoneM30 0TU
Eccleston Newtown Carnegie LibraryBriggs & WolstenholmeLiverpoolSandstoneWA10 4LZ
Edinburgh – Corstorphine LibraryEbenezer James MacRaeEdinburghGraniteEH12 7HD
Edinburgh Central Library Sir George Washington BrowneEdinburghYellow sandstoneEH1 1EG
Ellon Carnegie reading Room (Melvin Hall Tarves)GraniteAB41 7GX
Ewart Library (Dumfries)Alan B. CrombieDumfriesRed sandstoneDG1 1JB
Falkirk Community Trust LibraryMcCarthy and WatsonEdinburghRed sandstoneFK1 5AU
Flint Library (Town Hall)John Welsh (original building)FlintSandstoneCH6 5NW
Fochabers Library (Bellie Parish)Red sandstoneIV32 7DY
Forss RenderKW14 7XX
Fraserburgh LibraryWilliam Stephen Fergusson WilsonFraserburghGraniteAB43 9PN
Glasgow – Bridgeton District Library James Robert RhindGlasgowYellow sandstoneG40 1BP
Glasgow – Dennistoun Library & Learning CentreJames Robert RhindGlasgowYellow sandstoneG31 2NA
Glasgow – Govanhill Library James Robert RhindGlasgowYellow sandstoneG42 7JU
Glasgow – Hutchesontown Library James Robert RhindGlasgowRed sandstoneG5 0NZ
Glasgow – Kingston Library Robert William Horn & Alexander Beith Mc Donald (city surveyor)GlasgowRed sandstoneG5 8RR
Glasgow – Langside LibraryGeorge SimpsonGlasgowRed sandstoneG42 9QE
Glasgow – Maryhill LibraryJames Robert RhindGlasgowYellow sandstoneG20 9AD
Glasgow – Parkhead Library James Robert RhindGlasgowRed sandstoneG31 4XA
Glasgow – Partick LibraryOffice of Public WorksGlasgowYellow sandstoneG11 6AB
Glasgow – Pollokshields LibraryThomas Gilchrist Gilmour revised by Alexander Beith McDonaldGlasgowRed sandstoneG41 2TE
Glasgow – Possilpark Library George SimpsonGlasgowRed sandstoneG22 5JJ
Glasgow – Springburn  LibraryWilliam Brown WhitieGlasgowRed sandstoneG21 4BW
Glasgow – Woodside District LibraryJames Robert RhindGlasgowYellow sandstoneG3 6JQ
Grangemouth Victoria LibraryWilliam Black FalkirkYellow sandstoneFK3 8AG
Great HollandrenderCO13 0JT
Greenock Central LibraryMr.Matheson (original), Works managed by burgh electrical engineer, Mr WM Nelson and Master of Works – Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette – Friday 15 March 1901GreenockYellow sandstonePA15 1JB
GuildtownRenderPH2 6BY
Hamilton Alex Cullen, Lochhead & BrownGlasgowYellow sandstoneML3 6HH
Harrogate LibraryHenry Thomas HareLondonYellow sandstoneHG1 1EG
Hatton (Cruden)(Slains)William DavidsonEllonGraniteAB42 0HZ
Haugh of Urr Hall and Public LibraryRenderDG7 3YA
Hawick LibraryJ. Nicholl Scott  and Alexander Lorne CampbellEdinburghRed sandstoneTD9 9QT
Hebden Bridge Library Yellow sandstoneHX7 8EP
Heckmondwike LibraryHenry SteadBoltonYellow sandstoneWF16 0LY
Heywood Library North & RobinLondonSandstoneOL10 1LL
Homerton Library Sir Thomas Edwin CooperLondonLimestoneE9 6DF
Horbury Library Benjamin WatsonBatleyYellow sandstoneWF4 6HP
Hoswick (Stove or Sandwick) (Carnegie Hall) ShetlandRenderZE2 9HH
Hove LibraryWilliam Alban Jones & Percy RobinsonLeedsLimestoneBN3 2EG
Ilford Central LibraryH. Shaw (District Surveyor)IlfordLimestoneIG1 1DD
Innerleithen Library Contact CentrePeter Lyle Barclay Henderson EdinburghYellow sandstoneEH44 6LA
Invergarry RenderPH35 4HL
Inverurie LibraryHarbourne MaclennanAberdeenGraniteAB51 3SN
IonaGranitePA76 6SJ
Irongray Public Library and Hall (Shawhead Village)RenderDG2 9SN
Islington Central LibraryHenry Thomas HareLondonLimestoneN5 1PF
Jedburgh LibraryJohn More Dick Peddie & Sir George Washington BrowneEdinburghYellow sandstoneTD8 6AS
Kelso LibraryJohn More Dick Peddie & Sir George Washington BrowneEdinburghYellow sandstoneTD5 7JH
Kendal libraryT.F. PenningtonKendalYellow sandstoneLA9 4PY
King’s Lynn LibraryHerbert John GreenNorwichTerracotta and cobblePE30 5EZ
Kingston DevonrenderTQ7 4QE
Kinross Library Peter Lyle Barclay Henderson EdinburghYellow sandstoneKY13 8DA
Kyle of Lochalsh LibraryRenderIV40 8AB
Larbert LibraryWilliam Black FalkirkYellow sandstoneFK5 4BL
Leeds – Morley LibraryW.E. Putman (Borough Engineer)MorleyYellow sandstoneLS27 8HZ
Lincoln Central LibrarySir Reginald Theodore BlomfieldLondonLimestoneLN2 1EZ
Lindal & Marton Reading RoomW. Richardson (District Surveyor) Dalton-in-FurnessLimestoneLA12 0LN
Liverpool – Garston LibraryThomas  Shelmerdine (Corporation Architect and Surveyor)LiverpoolRed sandstone and renderL19 1QN
Llandudno Library George Alfred HumphreysLlandudnoYellow sandstoneLL30 2RP
Llantwit Fardre LibraryArthur Lloyd ThomasPontypriddGrey sandstone and stuccoCF38 1PY
LoanheadGraniteEH20 9RW
LockerbieFrank James Chambers CarruthersLockerbieRed sandstoneDG11 2HB
Lossiemouth Library A & W Reid & WittetElginYellow sandstoneIV31 6AA
Low Rowyellow sandstoneDL11 6PE
LumphananRenderAB31 4SE
Lybster libraryGraniteKW3 6AE
Manchester – Chorlton LibraryHenry Price (City Architect)ManchesterLimestone with red brickM21 9PN
Manchester – Withington Library Henry Price (City Architect)ManchesterLimestone with red brickM20 3BD
Mansfield Library 1 central + branchErnest R. Sutton and F.W. GregoryNottinghamLimestoneNG18 1NG
Mary Tavy PebbledashPL19 9QR
Maxton Library Greig, Fairbairn & MacnivenEdinburghRed sandstoneTD6 0RL
Maybole LibraryJames Kennedy HunterAyrRed sandstoneKA19 7AB
Merthyr Tydfil – Dowlais LibraryE. A. JohnsonAbergavennyRed and grey sandstoneCF48 3HS
Merthyr Tydfil Central LibraryJohnson Richards and ReesMerthyr TydfilLimestoneCF47 8AF
Mid YellRenderZE2 9BN
Middlesbrough Central LibrarySir Thomas Edwin CooperLondonYellow sandstoneTS1 2AY
Mile End Central Library (Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives) StepneyJames Knight originally 1862, Extension by MW Jameson, Borough SurveyorTower HamletsLimestoneE1 4DQ
Milnrow Library S. Butterworth & W.H. DuncanRochdaleYellow sandstoneOL16 3NP
Montrose LibraryJames Lindsay GrantEdinburghRed sandstoneDD10 8PH
MotherwellGreig, Fairbairn & MacnivenEdinburghYellow sandstoneML1 3BZ
Nelson Library J. Rigby Poyser & W. Brandreth SavidgeNottinghamYellow sandstoneBB9 7PX
Nethy BridgeGranitePH25 3DG
New Mills Library Richard Bassnett PrestonManchesterSandstoneSK22 4AR
Newmill Instituteyellow sandstone, rubbleAB55 6TW
Nottingham – Bulwell Northern Branch Library Nottingham Journal – Tuesday 24 August 1915Bright & ThomsNottinghamSandstoneNG6 9AE
Orkney Library (Kirkwall)James Malcolm BaikieKirkwallYellow sandstone and gray-ishKW15 1NW
Peebles Library Yellow sandstone and renderEH45 8AG
Penarth LibraryHarry SnellPenarthGrey sandstone and limestoneCF64 2YT
Penistone LibraryHenry R. CollinsBarnsleyRed and yellow sandstoneS36 6DY
Peterhead LibraryDuncan McMillanAberdeenGraniteAB42 1QD
Pleasley (Verney Institute)Parker and UnwinBuxtonrenderNG19 7PL
Poplar Public Library Squire, Meyers & PetchLondonLimestoneE14 6RN
Portmahomack Carnegie HallJohn Pond MacdonaldInvernessYellow sandstoneIV20 1YD
PrescotrenderL34 3LJ
Prestonpans LibraryP. Whitecross & James Pearson Alison  HawickRed sandstoneEH32 9NX
RhonehouseGraniteDG7 1SA
Rhyl Carnegie Free Library (Rhyl Town Hall)A.A. Goodall (Town Surveyor)RhylPennant stone and sandstoneLL18 1AB
Rogerstone LibraryAlfred Swash & John BainNewportGrey and yellow sandstoneNP10 9EL
Rosehall (Altass)RenderIV27 4BD
Rothwell LibraryJohn Alfred GotchKetteringSandstoneNN14 6EP
Royal Four Towns renderDG11 1JN
Rutherglen George Sinclair and John Ballantine  GlasgowYellow sandstoneG73 2HB
Sandwell – Tividale Library (Rowley Regis)Herbert Winkler Wills and John AndersonLondonLimestoneB69 2PJ
Scalloway LibraryDuncan and John Ross McMillanAberdeenGraniteZE1 0TX
ShipleyAbraham SharpBradfordYellow sandstone and yellow terracottaBD18 1BX
South Unst People’s Institute (Uyeasound)RenderZE2 9DN
Sowerby Bridge Library C.L. Whitehead (council surveyor)Sowerby Bridge Yellow sandstoneHX6 2QG
Spinningdale Free Library Andrew Maitland & SonsTainRenderIV24 3AD
St CyrusGranite and renderDD10 0BQ
StirlingHenry ‘Harry’ Ramsay TaylorEdinburghYellow sandstoneFK8 2HX
Stornoway Library  John RobertsonInvernessGranite and yellow sandstoneHS1 2BE
Strachuryellow sandstone, rubble, renderPA27 8DF
Stratford-upon-Avon LibraryEdward Gibbs HoltomStratford Upon AvonYellow sandstoneCV37 6PZ
Stromness LibraryRenderKW16 3DF
Swinton LibraryLimestoneS64 8PU
SymingtonRenderKA1 5QZ
Taibach Port Talbot Margam Community LibraryJohn Cox (District Surveyor)MargamGrey and yellow sandstoneSA13 1LN
Tain Library Andrew Maitland & SonsTainYellow sandstoneIV19 1AZ
Taunton Library Alexander Colbourne Little & Ingreson C Goodson.LondonRed and yellow sandstoneTA1 4AJ
TaynuiltRenderPA35 1JH
TemplandRenderDG11 1TY
Thankerton pebbledashML12 6NZ
Thurso Library Barbaretus Sinclair MacdonaldThursoYellow sandstoneKW14 8AJ
TingwallRenderZE2 9XT
Tinsley Library E.S. Holmes & Adam Francis WatsonSheffieldYellow sandstoneS9 1UE
TongueRenderIV27 4XQ
Twynholm HallRenderDG6 4NT
Vidlin Lunnasting public hallRenderZE2 9QB
Waberthwaite and Corney InstituterenderLA19 5YJ
WallsRenderZE2 9PD
Wellington Carnegie Red and yellow sandstoneTF1 1BD
West Calder LibraryWilliam BaillieGlasgowRed and yellow sandstoneEH55 8DR
Whalsay (Isbister)GraniteZE2 9AJ
Whitehaven LibraryGreig, Fairbairn & MacnivenEdinburghRed sandstoneCA28 7QT
Wick LibraryThomas Greenshields Leadbetter & James McLellan FairleyEdinburghYellow sandstoneKW1 5AB
Wombwell Library Arthur  B. LinfordWombwellSandstoneS73 0BA
Workington Library W.A Mellon and George Wittet YorkSandstoneCA14 2BD
Worthing Library Crouch Butler & SavageBirminghamLimestoneBN11 1HP