Description

Later 19th century. Quadrangular steading complex comprising principal single storey and loft range (oriented E-W) to N, overlooking long rectangular courtyard to S enclosed by rubble wall, bounded on S and W sides by continuous lean-to ranges. Harl-pointed rubble walls with stugged sandstone dressings and details.

PRINCIPAL RANGE: asymmetrical 7-bay N elevation with vertically-boarded timber door centred at ground, vertically-boarded timber loft door breaking eaves above in slate-hung piend-roofed dormerhead; 3-pane timber fixed-lights in flanking bays; vertically-boarded timber door in penultimate bay to right; 3-pane timber fixed-light in bay to outer right; small flat-roofed office adjoining to outer right of elevation; blank in penultimate bay and outer bay to left. E gable; vertically-boarded timber sliding door to left and 4-pane timber fixed-light to right. S (courtyard) elevation; roof oversailing S wall to low eaves supported on regularly-spaced timber columns on square stone bases.

COURTYARD: continuous lean-to range on N side of S wall, W end now enlarged, vertically-boarded sliding timber door to left of entrance gate to courtyard breaking S range near E end; pavilion-like end of range at SE corner with narrow window and vertically-boarded timber door to S elevation, rubble-infilled blind window to E elevation; wallhead of S wall rising to meet higher W wall.

Purple-grey slate roofs to principal range and lean-to ranges; stugged sandstone ashlar and concrete skew-copes and wallhead copes; stugged sandstone stack to E gable of principal range with stone cope and circular can.

RETAINING WALL: random rubble retaining wall to E, returned at N and terminated by rubble gatepier with gabletted ashlar cap.

Statement of Interest

The design of this steading is perhaps unique for Shetland, but its purposeful and pund-like form is a strong reference to the more industrial approach to sheep farming after the area was cleared in the later 19th century.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77771678

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Central Leinster: Kildare, Laois and Offaly (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Period Property Manual (New Ed)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)