Fairmile Inn

I felt it fitting to blip this on the shortest day as, for this art deco roadhouse, the sun has set. The Fairmile Inn is not on the Historic Scotland list of architecturally protected buildings and soon it will be demolished. Planning approval has been granted for Craigdon Mountain Sports to construct a 'multi-use facility' called Pentland Outdoor Centre, with two or three flats for managerial/security staff to live onsite.

Built in 1938 by Thomas Bowhill Gibson it was originally called the Hillburn Roadhouse, one of several of the period (such as the Maybury Roadhouse), which were semi-rural establishments to which one would drive from the city. The curved frontage and slate roof was a later addition, possibly from early 1979 when a planning application for "alterations and extension" was submitted.

At a local meeting the planned building was introduced as being of 'iconic design'. Whilst the Fairmile Inn is itself of iconic design it has lost many original features externally and internally. Over the years it has been neglected and now its fate has been sealed. Yet another once-fine art deco building will disappear.