Salt Pan Houses, St Nicholas Golf Course, Prestwick

Built circa 1760 for the salt boiling industry, as the Maryburgh Salt Works, probably salt pans with housing above. Pair parellel blocks linked by (later) wall which has been heightened and which was originally open at centre. Arrangement is broadly symmetrical. Blocks are 2-storey, rectangular-plan, gabled, with end stacks, rubble-built with squared dressings (south block part harled), each block with wide opening in west gable at low level (timber-lintelled at south, concrete at north); also forestairs; slate roofs; deep skews with moulded skewputts suggest roof covering may originally have been pantiles or thatch.

Although what remains is incomplete, Whatley describes surviving buildings as "certainly the most complete upstanding remains of the (saltboiling) industry on the west coast". In fact, they appear to be most complete to survive in Scotland.

The Prestwick burgh/records of 12th February 1480 uses the term "salt pan hous" which suggests the existence of the industry locally by that time. The burgh records also discussed applications for erecting of salt pans on 25th June 1763 and 7th Sept. 1765 (Information provided by Kyle & Carrick civic society). (Historic Scotland)

May 1990: External inspection suggests the buildings RE unused and becoming derelict, with several openings boarded-up. SCT receives information that Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust is negotiating to purchase the houses from Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club. January 1994: SCT receives information that purchase is not now being pursued, and the buildings continue to be unoccupied. August 1995: SCT receives information that the owners are not interested in selling because of its location within the golf course. Kyle and Carrick Civic Society and the Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust commission a local firm of architects to prepare a feasibility study on new uses and their anticipated costs. SBPT is once more negotiating the purchase of the buildings for restoration, preferably for museum use, after which they could be re-sold to the golf course. June 2006: Owners report that there is no change to the information currently held on the Register.

July 2008: External inspection shows that the buildings appear to be secure and the slate roofs appear to be in a decent state of repair. The walls are of more concern as certain elevations show signs of extreme deterioration through wind exposure. Each building now has safety warning signage affixed to it.

September 2009: Local planners report they have recently been in contact with the building owners in respect of the deteriorating condition of the property. At this time the Club does not wish to sell, although there have been approaches from building preservation trusts to restore the Salt Pan Houses.

March 2012: Local planners report the building remains at risk.

18 May 2012: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit.

12 September 2014: External inspection finds the buildings remain in much the same condition as seen previously.

14 December 2023: Listed building consents (23/00900/LBC) are being sought for alterations and repairs to listed buildings.