Description

Earlier to mid 19th century with later alterations. 2-storey 4-bay rectangular-plan asymmetrical pair of houses to centre of row, accessed via segmental-arched pend from Victoria Street. Harled. 1st floor windows set close under eaves.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: bays grouped 2-2. 2-bay block to left, (number 68): plain timber door with circular painted glass inset at ground in bay to right; blocked fanlight; window at 1st floor above. Window at each floor in bay to left. 2-bay group to right, (number 70): plain timber door with painted glass inset and narrow lights flanking to right at ground in bay to left; non-aligned window at 1st floor above. Window at each floor in bay to right.

12-pane timber sash and case windows to No 68; 2-pane timber sash and case windows to number 70. Old Orkney grey slate roof; stone ridge; tall harled coped ridge stack to W of group; harled corniced ridge stack to E end; cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: not seen, 1997.

QUAY: Caithness falgstones to rectangular-plan quay to S.

Statement of Interest

This row of buildings, of which No 68 and 70 constitute the middle section formerly served as stables for the Mason's Arm Hotel. They were converted for use as dwellings, and the local, internationally renowned, artist Stanley Cursiter bought No 70, having moved from his studio, Stenigar, at the South end of town, tailoring it to his own needs. He added the new front doors (presumably No 68 and 70 were then one dwelling) and inserted engraved circular panels to his own design, one featuring a Viking ship in full sail.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77772189

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

• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)