The land at 19 Cornton Road now known as Forthvale Cottage was purchased from Master of Cowan’s Hospital by a William Mitchell in 1839. At that time it extended to 1 Acre, 28 falls and 30 Ells.
As was usual at the time the Feu Superior retained the rights to the minerals beneath the site and the rights to recover them. Cowan’s Hospital also retained the trees on the site. There was also retained a right to “Take from the East side of said lot such a space of ground as they may see necessary for the widening of Cornton Road”. It would appear from the scarcity of front garden presently evident that this was indeed founded upon.
Additionally contained within the burdens was the following: –
“There shall be no ales nor spirits brewn or distilled from malt be brought into vended or sold within the foresaid lands and others or any part thereof”
The cottage, at one time, appears to have been understood at least by the Census as having the title “Forthside Cottage” Because the 1911 Census has Walter Cotton (42), Engineer and Manager of India Rubber Manufacturers as being in residence. He has with him his wife, Mary (44), his son Percy (21) Apprentice Engineer and his daughter Clara (17) who is a Music Teacher. They are all registered as having been born in England.
In the 1921 Census The following people are registered as resident in Forthvale Cottage: –
- Joseph Gorst – Head -39 – India Rubber Works Manager
- Eva Gorst – Wife – 34 – HD – (Home Duties)
- Marjorie Gorst – Daughter – 8 – Scholar
- Nancy M Gorst – Daughter – 5 – Scholar
- Agnes M. Shields – 23 – Housemaid – HD
The cottage was owned by Forthvale Works and their manager lived there.
While the Gorsts were resident here for a period, the history of the house across the road reveals that Wyncliffe (Orchard Cottage) was sold in 1948 to Joseph Gorst who, in turn, sold it on a year later. Since he would have been 60 years old at the time perhaps he was setting things up for retiral.
The next record is in 1964 and relates to a “servitude right of access” by H.K. Porter in favour of the proprietors of Forthvale Works for the supply of water to and the discharge of waste from said works, from and to the river.
In July 2001 Moira Helen Connor sold to James Franklyn and Linda Mhairi Marshall 0.13 Hectares which is believed to be the land to the immediate north of the house at number 19 Cornton Road, and approximately half of the original Feu, on the understanding that they would be entitled to build a block of flats with no more than six flatted dwellinghouses and that no upper floor windows on the gable should overlook the garden of number 19.
It would appear from a 2022 SEPA response to the subsequent 2021 planning application –
“Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Acts Erection of 5No. residential flats and associated parking/ Land Adjacent To West Of 19 Cornton Road Cornton Stirling SEPA ref: 3952“
that by separating the area of ground to the north of number 19, from number 19 itself, it takes on a different title. It no longer is a “Brownfield Site” by virtue of the fact that it is associated with number 19. It becomes a “Wooded Greenfield Site”. As such it becomes “At Flood Risk!”
The Planning application was withdrawn.
Forthvale Cottage last changed hands in 2024.
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