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Summary

Description

Circa 1620, with stair tower possibly raised circa 1650, may

incorporate some 16th century fragments. 3-storey Town House

with 3rd floor breaking eaves. Projecting semi-octagonal

tower at centre W. Red sandstone rubble, formerly harled,

with ashlar dressings. Harled at rear. Slate roof. Small-pane

glazing pattern.

W ELEVATION: tower carried above wallhead; pend entrance on

NW side with rounded corners, close running through to rear.

String courses dividing upper stages of tower. 4-pane narrow

lights to stair. 2 19th century clocks on N and S sides; 2

stone sundials with copper gnoma to NW and SW. Ground floor

windows of flanking bays formed in 1912 when lean-to

additions were removed by Robert Orr, Haddington. Mullioned

1st floor window to N with moulded architrave and corbel

supports, possibly incorporated from castle ruin. Window to

S 1st floor with transom and barred lower half derived from

use as gaol. Apparent blocked window to S of this. Pedimented

dormers flanking Tower with blocked oval panels. Slated lower

skirt to tower roof with lead flashings; steeper

timber-framed, lead-covered spire above with louvred oval

lucarnes and wrought-iron cockerel weathervane. Gabletted

crowsteps; rubble gable head stacks with thackstones.

E (REAR) ELEVATION: 2-storey projection with pentice roof;

pend opening to right and enlarged. Central pedimented

dormer.

S GABLE TO SILVER STREET: 2 ground floor windows; various

early alterations.

Sympathetic extension block abutting N gable by George

Simpson, Edinburgh, 1927, serving as public offices.

INTERIOR: Paved pend with turnpike stair to right. Heavy

timber doors with simple iron hinges, locks and handles.

Vaulted chambers to 1st floor, formerly used as prison cells,

with rafters and wooden ceilings. S cell door with yett

grille and bolt possibly taken from castle. Council Chamber

on 3rd floor running full length with coomb ceiling, wood

panelled mid to late 18th century, with gilding. Later

shutters to N, 2 end chimneypieces, one bolection moulded,

one with decorative 19th century cast-iron fire surround with basket-arched chimneypiece. Panels of Arms of Union, painted

and gilded, above fireplaces; one dated 1686, the other

Georgian.

Statement of Special Interest

Property has group interest with other listed buildings on High Street and West Port: see LB24778 to LB24791, LB24803 to LB24824 and LB24864 to LB24867.

Oval details also seen on Dunbar Customs House of contemporary date now demolished. Crowstep form showing Dutch influence. Bridge spanning Silver Street allegedly housed the hangman. Town House served as a police station in early 20th century. De-scheduled October 1995.

References

Bibliography

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