Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

W R Lethaby (architect) and T Smith Peace of Peace Builders (contractor and architect), 1903-1910; with minor addition. 2-storey; L-plan hotel. Vernacular revival design with crowstepped gables, deep overhanging eaves and tall chimney stacks with deep tapered coping above narrow band course. Coursed rubble, harled. Cills extended slightly to either side of windows; 1st floor windows largely square where adjoining eaves. N ELEVATION: 5-bay. Central entrance with rectangular-plan piended roofed porch; entrance with panelled timber door; large flanking windows; identical windows to both returns. Window above and one to each floor to flanking bays. Narrow 1st floor window in between 2nd and 3rd bays from left. W ELEVATION: 5-bay; built into ground sloping upwards to right. Gabled bay to outer left; central window (formerly entrance) with projecting pediment above; narrow window to right (former one to left now blocked); window centred above. Lean-to porch to entrance to outer right; window to front; entrances to flanking returns (both with timber doors, that to right panelled); narrow window set back to right. Window to each floor to central 3 bays; 2 to left of ground narrower. S ELEVATION: gable end of one of main wings projects slightly to left; window to right of ground floor; 2 windows to 1st floor. Window to each floor set back to right; narrow window to left of 1st floor. E ELEVATION: gable end of one of main wings projects to right; central window to each floor; evidence of former extension to right return; ground floor window to left. Gable end set back to left; entrance (with boarded timber door) to right; 2 windows to 1st floor (that to right narrow). Small flat-roofed single storey addition to central section (infilling space between short left wing and main wing to right); 4 narrow windows; 2 windows set back to 1st floor (that to right narrow); window above to left return of right wing. Mainly 12 and 8-pane timber sash and case windows; 8-pane casements (to 1st floor of N and W elevations). Stone Caithness slate roof. Gablehead stacks to S (one of main wings) and E (short projecting section to left); 3 ridge stacks; all with deep coping, tapered towards apex, above narrow band course; round cans. INTERIOR: ground floor substantially altered. BOUNDARY WALL: coursed rubble wall with rubble coping encloses remaining area of rectangular-plan site to N and E. Pair of partially rendered square-plan gatpiers (probably later) to N; each with ball-finialled pyramid coping.

Statement of Special Interest

A distinctive local landmark, by the prominent Arts and Crafts architect, W R Lethaby, in Hoy. The chimney stacks with their deep tapered coping are very much in his style, as are the lower height 1st floor windows along the eaves. Lethaby worked for Thomas Middlemore, who purchased the nearby Melsetter Estate (which included the entire island) in 1898. He remodelled the house and surrounding buildings at Melsetter in keeping with vernacular traditions. During World War I it was used as the office of the admiral commanding naval operations in Orkney and Shetland and a wireless station was created alongside it (Burrows). A photograph of 1921 shows it more or less as it is today (including the entrance porches). See separate list descriptions for Melsetter House, Estate Office, Laundry House and Spinning Cottage; also Rysa Lodge. Other buildings designed in the style of Lethaby include Melsetter Farmhouse (see separate list description).

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.