Kilnburn

Kilnburn was built by builder James Brown. The long terrace of houses on the west side mostly dates from the late 1870s, slightly earlier than the six houses on the other side which date from 1880 and 1881. The date 1880 was found behind the fireplace of number 4 by the previous owner. The six houses on the east were called Kilnburn Terrace. The street has changed remarkably little over the years, the only changes being the sub-division of some of them in the 20th century. Many of the houses in Kilnburn were owned by James Brown for many years, rented out to their occupants. This no doubt allowed him to build up funds for his next building projects.

One or two houses of interest…..

9 To the rear of Number 9 is a building (7) which was added in the early 1900s. From then until 1950 numbers 7 and 9 housed the Liberal club. 7 provided hall accommodation while number 9 provided meeting rooms and accommodation for a caretaker.

10 From 1940s until 1958 number 10 housed St Fillan’s private school.

12 From 1930 number 12 was the manse for Trinity Church.

25 In the late 1870s number 25 was the home of William Dobson Valentine, son of James Valentine who had founded the huge photographic company. It was William who made the decision to take the photography firm into the postcard business in 1898.

47 From 1901 until the 1930s number 47 was the home of Gavin L Wilson senior who founded the large Dundee department store affectionately known as GLs. Gavin Wilson had three sons and three daughters. Eldest son John would eventually carry the business forward while second son Garnet later became Sir Garnet Wilson and Provost of Dundee. Youngest son Gavin was killed in WWI aged 19. The family commissioned a beautiful stained glass memorial window for him in St Fillan’s Church, now demolished. Gavin Wilson named this house Netherfield after the estate near Strathaven where he grew up.

51 At the top of Kilnburn is number 51, the largest of all the houses with 12 or 13 rooms. The house was divided in three (51 Kilnburn, and 32 and 34 Cupar Road) around 1947. James Brown himself lived here 1874-1886.