This post is about Houffe Cottage, Stirling which was demolished long ago. I came across this building by chance when looking at a first edition ordnance survey map of this area of Stirling. The location is familiar to me, as where Houffe Cottage once stood there is now a car park that we have used many time over the years, including the period when our children were young and learning to swim [at the now demolished] Rainbow Slides.
As far as I am aware, no surviving image of Houffe Cottage has survived. However, the first edition Ordnance Survey map reveals that it was surrounded by an orchard.
Current map [2026]: Where there was fruit, how there is cars:
22 August 1754, Caledonian Mercury:
13 February 1795, Caledonian Mercury: The Tovey family of Houffe Cottage:
11 August 1802, Press & Journal: Death of a daughter, Houffe Cottage:
1 April 1808, The Scots Magazine: Another daughter is born at The Houffe:
10 December 1810, Perthshire Courier: Sadly, further infant mortality
29 April 1813, Caledonian Mercury: Rejoicings:
1820, Map by John Wood:
Lieutenant John Tovey [1753-1841]:
1 May 1821, London Courier and Evening Gazette:
3 October 1823, Peterhead Courier:
1841, Death of Captain John Tovey, The Houff:
Description of Houffe Cottage as entered into the first ordnance survey book [The tenant is listed as William Kinross]:
1852: Railway expansion:
1 March 1855, Stirling Observer, the neighbours of the Tovey family are now tenant of The Houffe:
1870, ordnance survey map: The Coach Works of William Kinross are located south of Houffe Cottage, next to Shore Road:
19 February 1886, Stirling Journal and Advertiser:
6 March 1886, Callander Advertiser:
11 January 1896, Bridge of Allan Gazette: This appears to be the last entry in the newspapers relating to Houffe cottage.
