Ballochmyle Creamery, Haugh of Mauchline

Complex building sequence, the most distinctive part a tall range which forms part of a circa 1911 major rebuild, it is central European in profile, with deep-eaved and swept gambrel roof, big bell cast and iron-crested axial ventilator; the numerous other ranges and additions are plainer but mainly sympathetic in design and in use of materials; mostly white-harled with red ashlar detail, small-paned glazing patterns gambel or gabled slate roofs with broad eaves, long rooflights, red ridging tiles. The tall range near the west whose gable is the inner of 3, stepped in height (lade enters underneath) dates from circa 1890 and is among the earliest surviving buildings at the site; panelled red brick wall partly visible on south flank, west gable harled, but some stonework visible, (eg lade archway) which is probably re-used from pre-1890 building. C 1911 WORK includes 3-storeyed centre block mentioned above (one flank is placed against the c1890 east gable in a T-plan arrangement), around its perimeter originally a low flat-roofed and deep series of ranges with round-arched openings, these ranges subsequently heightened though original openings can still be seen eg at east end and (from within later addition) on south; unroofed court/lightwell about lade with gated archway at east. Inside, tall range has concrete-arched floors, steel beams, plain cast-iron columns; brick-faced or tiled walls mostly white-glazed with blue trim; roof has distinctive curved steel trusses as do other early pitched roofs. Elongated cast-iron Corinthian columns survive in original engine room at low level, SE corner. Formal gardens, early 20th century in appearance, were laid out at the east, in front of manager's house; spoiled by huge modern shed now placed over centre area, but rock-faced garden walls survive; with gatepiers at east, and wrought iron gates; also fragments of stone terraces beside house and a small square and rock-faced pavilion; at south, a similar structure (perhaps a powerhouse or summerhouse) built on piers over the river and a gardeners' shed with glass house. EGG-ENDED BOILER, also beside house, is an unusual survivor; rivetted iron plates and raised on brick piers.

There was originally a lint mill at this site; purchased circa 1890 for use as a creamery and margarine factory; pioneering work in the development of margarine was done here, including, it is said, the formation of the type of margarine used in puff pastry. A local tradition claims that the blue tilework bands gave their name to a margarine type. Factory was sold in mid 1920's (' to Jurgens, later part of Unilever), but margarine production continued until after last war. Subsequently a spectacles factory until about 1987. (Historic Scotland)

February 2012: Nominated by a member of the public. Last in use as opticals factory, thought to have been disused since the late 1980s. Listed Building Consent and Full Planning Permission for conversion to 20 flats and 1 townhouse were conditionally approved Nov 2006, ref:11/0726/PP & 05/0586/LB. Application for extension of permissions for 3 years lodged Sept 2011 ref: 11/0726/PP. For Investigation.

29 October 2014: External inspection finds the building in an advanced decay - collapsing roofs, erdoing walls, extensive vegetation growth and general dampness. An application to extend the previously approved development of the site was lodged but withdrawn. Move to At Risk.

21 June 2016: Listed Building Consent for conversion of the building to 12 dwellings with 4 new build dwellings, is being sought ref: 16/0382/LB.

7 December 2018: Listed Building Consent for the downtaking of a building within the site is being sought ref: 18/0321/LB. Listed Building Consent for residential conversion (noted previously) was conditionally approved July 2017 ref: 16/0382/LB.

13 December 2018: The site is under marketing for sale through Shepherd Commercial. Offers over £450,000 are being sought.