Craig Ailey is a villa at Cove, originally named Italian Villa. The site above a craig (cliff) gives views over the Firth of Clyde and its junction with Loch Long. It was designed in 1850 by Alexander Thomson (later known as "Greek Thomson"), and built around 1852 by his client the builder and developer John McElroy,[1] who had feued land in the Cove and Kilcreggan area from the 8th Duke of Argyll. Access to the house is by South Ailey Road.[3] The house, on top of the craig above Craigrownie Cottage, can be seen from Shore Road.

Craig Ailey
Map
Former namesItalian Villa
General information
Architectural styleLombardic[1] Italianate[2]
AddressSouth Ailey Road, Cove, Argyll
CountryScotland
Coordinates55°59′32″N 4°51′07″W / 55.99222°N 4.85194°W / 55.99222; -4.85194
Construction started1850
Estimated completion1852
ClientJohn McElroy
Design and construction
Architect(s)Alexander Thomson
DeveloperJohn McElroy
Main contractorJohn McElroy
Listed Building – Category A
Designated14 May 1971
Reference no.LB43472
View from Shore Road of the house, perched on the crag-top above Craigrownie Cottage.

Notes

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  1. ^ a b "South Ailey Road, Craig Ailey With Boundary Wall, Gates And Gatepiers (LB43472)". Historic Environment Scotland. 14 May 1971. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  2. ^ Glendinning, M. (2019). History of Scottish Architecture. Edinburgh University Press. p. 288. ISBN 978-1-4744-6850-3. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  3. ^ Bray, A; Reeve, Richard (18 September 2015). "Rosneath Peninsula West Heritage Trail" (PDF). Helensburgh Heritage Trust. Retrieved 17 April 2022.

References

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