Abbotsford Hotels Listing

149 Gipps Street
Collingwood 3066
Australia
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Abbotsford

Laird Hotel (1980 to present)

Laird O'Cockpen Hotel (1869 to 1980)

149 Gipps Street
Collingwood 3066
Australia
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1869

N/A

Existing hotel

1888/89; 1989/95 Conservation Study suggests possibly re-built around 1912

N/A

N/A

Part A, pp.155-156

Volume 3, Appendix B, individually listed within precinct

N/A

Maps: Kearney 1855: N ; Hodgkinson 1858: N ; MMBW: Detail Plan 1312, 1901

The original name derives from a traditional Scottish song. The 1880s photos show a single storey corner building. In November 1888 architect Sydney Smith invited tenders for the pulling down and re-building of the Laird ( Building Engineers and Mining Journal 17 Nov 1888, supplement 7) .

The hotel was bought by the Burton Brewery, and then in 1912 Carlton & United Breweries acquired it.

The current building is brick, two storeys, with neo-classical detail and facade treatment. The brickwork has been overpainted, and ground floor windows and doors have been altered.

A major change took place in 1980 when it became a gay venue which has continued to be a highly regarded male only hotel. You can read all about it on their website, but ignore their statement that the hotel was built in 1847.
https://www.lairdhotel.com/about_us.php

The Laird o' Cockpen

The laird o' Cockpen, he's proud an' he's great,
His mind is ta'en up wi' things o' the State;
He wanted a wife, his braw house to keep,
But favour wi' wooin' was fashious to seek.

Down by the dyke-side a lady did dwell,
At his table head he thought she'd look well,
McClish's ae daughter o' Claversha' Lee,
A penniless lass wi' a lang pedigree.

His wig was weel pouther'd and as gude as new,
His waistcoat was white, his coat it was blue;
He put on a ring, a sword, and cock'd hat,
And wha could refuse the laird wi' a' that?

(and many more verses to follow)