Fernbank on Drummochy Road was designed in 1890 for James Galloway, a retired leather merchant. Galloway was born in 1833 in Colinsburgh, son of currier James Galloway and his wife Isabella Meldrum. In his teens James was apprenticed as a currier (someone who treats leather after the tanning process, dressing it ready for sale). The notice below from the 21 February 1850 Fife Herald reports on the opening of the family business, when James senior took over from David Carstairs. In turn, the younger James took over the business after the death of his father in 1863. In 1879 James Galloway married Catherine Nelson and they lived in Colinsburgh while James continued as a leather merchant there.
By 1890, James was planning his retirement and commissioned James Gillespie architect of St Andrews to design Fernbank. James has purchased a plot at Drummochy, on which there were two old dwellings. These were situated up against the road, in line with the row of houses on the right of the image above and below (which still exist today as 26-38 Drummochy Road). The two old cottages were demolished and the new villa was built higher up the sloping plot to maximise the view towards the sea. James had long been a keen horticulturalist and so the botanical name 'Fernbank' was fitting for his new home.
By 1890, James was planning his retirement and commissioned James Gillespie architect of St Andrews to design Fernbank. James has purchased a plot at Drummochy, on which there were two old dwellings. These were situated up against the road, in line with the row of houses on the right of the image above and below (which still exist today as 26-38 Drummochy Road). The two old cottages were demolished and the new villa was built higher up the sloping plot to maximise the view towards the sea. James had long been a keen horticulturalist and so the botanical name 'Fernbank' was fitting for his new home.
For many years, James had been one of the leading exhibitors at the Colinsburgh Flower Show (an offshoot of the Keil's Den Horticultural Show) and was a recognised specialist in the culture of pansies. He won many prizes for his flowers and produce. No doubt his garden at Fernbank (shown in the centre of the 1964 map above) would have been impressive. James took an active role in public life in his retirement - becoming a Justice of the Peace, a Parish Councillor and a member of Largo School Board. He was also an active member of the U.P. Church and was a lifelong ardent Liberal.
In 1899 the brother of James, Thomas C. Galloway, died and left the legacy with which the Galloway Library in Colinsburgh was established (opened in 1904). At the time of the 1901 census, James and Catherine were still living at Fernbank. However, James died in September 1905 at Fernbank, aged 72. Catherine still owned Fernbank on the 1915 valuation roll but by 1920, Fernbank had been sold to John Letham, a retired farmer. John Letham would go on to gift money to Leven Town Council to secure the future of the public park at Spinkie Den, which was then renamed Letham Glen as a gesture of appreciation. More on that in the next post. John Letham died in 1949. The next residents of Fernbank were retired coal merchant John Dow Young and his wife Jean Cochrane Gardiner.
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