Dakar, 40 Camelon Rd/Maggie Woods Loan for Herbert B Robertson

In 1930 J G Callander designed a villa on the corner of Camelon Road and Maggie Woods Loan for Herbert B Robeertson.  The house was set back up the hill slope from the main road showing off its frontage.  The margins of the doorways and windows are of synthetic stone, contrasting with the pea-grit render, set under a low-pitched green slate roof.  A two-storey bay window and two three-light windows are placed between banded pilasters, as is the broad central door recess which is flanked by reeded ingoings.

A feature of the house is the stained glass windows facing Maggie Woods Loan which depict bluebirds in flight – the emblem of Walter Alexander’s bus company.  Their presence is due to the fact that Herbert B Robertson was a chartered accountant for the firm.  Furthermore he married Walter Alexander’s daughter.  It had additions and alterations made in 1935 which included a nursery and an additional bedroom – at an estimated cost of £1,000.  In 1948 they added an attic – at an estimated cost of another £475.  It too has bluebirds in its windows.

Walter Alexander junior had a bungalow, Cleveleys, built on the other side of the road at 13 Camelon Road – also by J G Callander (see separate entry)

Dakar, 40 Camelon Rd                        SMR 2232       NS 8792 8015

G.B. Bailey, 2021