A compact pair of ranges preserves evidence of brewing within Oldmeldrum’s eighteenth-century commercial centre.
Quick facts
- Date
- Late eighteenth-century east block; later western block and infill
- Architect / designer
- Designers not recorded
- Type
- Small rubble and harled brewery range developed in parallel blocks
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB38895)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 80918 27233
Architecture and continuing use
The eastern block is two storeys high and turns a two-window gable towards Urquhart Road. Its unusual segmental door canopy gives emphasis to an otherwise plain harled and rubble exterior. A later single-storey-and-attic range runs parallel to the west, with timber and pantile infill occupying the space between.
Its story
The eastern brewery range dates from the late eighteenth century, when Oldmeldrum supported a dense cluster of merchants and small industries. Later expansion added the lower western block and connecting infill. HES listed the former brewery in 1984; the current function of its separate parts is not established by the sources consulted.
Why it is included
It adds small-scale food-and-drink production to a town story otherwise dominated by civic buildings, inns, churches and whisky.
What to notice
- The segmental canopy above the street doorway.
- The two-window gable of the older eastern block.
- Parallel ranges and later infill revealing gradual expansion.
Reading the surroundings
View from public streets without entering doors, yards or lanes that serve private premises. Do not infer visitor access from the former industrial use.
Timeline
- Late 18th century The eastern brewery block was built beside Urquhart Road.
- 19th century or later A parallel western range and infill expanded the working complex.
- 11 September 1984 The former brewery entered the statutory list at Category C.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The designation records broad phases rather than exact dates, operators or equipment, and the present internal use remains unverified.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Former Brewery, Urquhart Road, LB38895 — Current designation status, statutory identity, official mapped point, date, fabric and significance.
- Trove search: Oldmeldrum brewery Urquhart Road — National heritage inventory search for the former brewery and mapped town-centre context.
- Aberdeenshire Council: Oldmeldrum town-centre health check — Local-authority survey evidence for town-centre buildings, occupancy and vacancy at the survey date; later change remains possible.
- Aberdeenshire Council: Formartine settlement statements — Local-authority evidence for Oldmeldrum’s settlement boundary, Market Square, listed Town Hall, landscape setting and planning context.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 80918 27233 · Location confidence: High for the current HES designation point; public text separately qualifies access, component identity and current use. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
Suggest a marker correction
Suggest a more accurate position
The teal marker is the current published position. The orange marker starts slightly to its right so both remain visible; this is only a visual starting position. Tap the correct place on the map or drag the orange marker. Sending this form creates a private review entry only; it does not move the published marker.
Check this area in Google Maps Choose the Satellite layer there if useful.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors. You can also enter checked coordinates below.