North Uist, Lochmaddy, Maclean's Mansion
Town House (19th Century)
Site Name North Uist, Lochmaddy, Maclean's Mansion
Classification Town House (19th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Lee View; Masonic Hall
Canmore ID 300929
Site Number NF96NW 55
NGR NF 91872 68788
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/300929
- Council Western Isles
- Parish North Uist
- Former Region Western Isles Islands Area
- Former District Western Isles
- Former County Inverness-shire
Lee View, or Maclean's Mansion (Taigh Mòr Chlann Mhic Eachainn), c.1800; altered 1852 A merchant's house of some presence for these parts (possibly the reconstruction of an earlier house), with its own pier and brick outbuilding (the 'red house'). Originally John Maclean of Boreray's 'townhouse', it served as a general store and multiple dwelling for many years, and, from 1950, as the Masonic Lodge. Comann na Mara has plans afoot to restore it as a marine education research centre.
Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
Imposing example of significant 2-storey, 5-bay former merchant's house set on waterside with associated pier and ancillary building. Harled with tusking to W gable, openings blocked or boarded; corniced gablehead stacks.
Prominently sited on the west shore of Lochmaddy (Loch nam Madadh), Lee View was a merchant's house of some significance when constructed. The building is dated 1852 over the porch, however, it is likely that this was a reworking of an earlier house as Mary Miers suggests in The Western Seaboard. Its early date, relatively large scale and rarity as a building type in the Western Isles contribute to its interest. It is contextually important to a small group comprising the house, pier and an ancillary building, and it is an important visual and historical contributor to this harbourside group.
Lee View was built as a townhouse for John Maclean of Boreray and it later became a general store and multiple dwelling which may have been sub-divided. The upper floor was used as a Masonic Lodge from 1950, but this closed some years ago and the building has been out of use for some time. The roof was removed following a fire in 2008. (Historic scotland)
Go to BARR website