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Summary

Description

Matthews and Lawrie (Inverness), 1879; additions by D and J R McMillan, 1903. 2-storey and attic, 6-bay (bays grouped 1-5) Renaissance style Town Hall with plain frieze and cornice to pilastered doorpiece, and 5-bay, piend-roofed hall to rear with vaulted and galleried interior. Stugged squared rubble with contrasting polished and raised red sandstone ashlar quoins and dressings; hall of snecked rubble with stugged ashlar dressings. Base, ground floor cill, and band courses, eaves cornice and parapet. Segmental-arched windows and pend entrance to ground, and roundheaded windows with panelled aprons to 1st floor, all keystoned.

W (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: 5 symmetrical bays to right with 2-leaf panelled timber door at centre, windows in flanking bays and regular fenestration linked by band course at springing of arches to 1st floor; slightly set-back bay over pend to outer left with cart arch at ground and single window above. 5 regularly-disposed pedimented dormer windows set-back behind parapet with squat urns and centre panel (with eroded date).

N (HALL) ELEVATION: 4 round-arched windows partially obscured by later lean-to range; further 2-storey crowstepped wing to outer left.

4-pane and plate glass glazing patterns in timber sash and case windows. Grey slates. Shouldered and coped ashlar stacks with full-complement of cans. Ashlar-coped skews.

INTERIOR: some fine interior detail retained including moulded plasterwork cornices; timber fire surround; vertically-boarded timber dadoes; architraved and panelled doors. Broad, top-lit, dog-leg staircase with enclosed balustrade. Public hall with decorative, compartmented, vaulted ceiling and horseshoe gallery with decorative cast-iron parapet and stage to E. Bronze and marble mural monument 'In Memory of J W Crombie MP for Kincardineshire 1892-1908. Erected by His Constituents'.

Statement of Special Interest

The fine Renaissance façade facing one of Stonehaven's principal streets is supported by a substantial hall overlooking Stonehaven Bay. Groome notes that the Town Hall was built at a cost of £4000, and 'contains a picture of 'The Coming Storm', presented by the architect, Mr W Lawrie, Inverness. Besides a public hall, it comprises news, billiard, and reading rooms'. Also by Matthews & Lawrie, Inverness Town House (1876-82). James Matthews designed the Clydesdale Bank at Ann Street. On 28th October, 1889, the Town Council took over government of the whole burgh, and held meetings in this building.

References

Bibliography

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