Listed Building

The only legal part of the listing under the Planning (Listing Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 is the address/name of site. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing – see 'About Listed Buildings' below for more information. The further details below the 'Address/Name of Site' are provided for information purposes only.

Address/Name of Site

GREENWALL HOUSE, INCLUDING OUTBUILDINGS AND BOUNDARY WALLSLB12725

Status: Designated

Documents

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Summary

Category
B
Date Added
08/12/1971
Local Authority
Orkney Islands
Planning Authority
Orkney Islands
Parish
Holm
NGR
HY 51449 1338
Coordinates
351449, 1001338

Description

1656 with later alterations and additions. 2-storey and attic, 3-bay near-symmetrical rectangular-plan crowstepped gabled mansion with various lean-to additions; addition along rear (N) side c.1840. Harl-pointed random rubble with squared rubble and sandstone dressings. Eaves course at rear. 19th century farm buildings at rear.

W (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: slightly advanced sandstone roll-moulded and pedimented architraved doorpiece at ground in bay to centre; weathered carved plaque bearing indistinct initials to pediment; small window at 1st floor above. Small window at each floor in bay to left. Blank wall to single storey lean-to addition to outer left. Enlarged window at each floor in bay to right.

E (REAR) ELEVATION: 2-storey 3-bay lean-to addition spanning rear elevation. Regularly disposed window at each floor in each bay. Blank wall to single storey flat-roofed addition projecting N to outer right.

S (SIDE) ELEVATION: main block gable to left: window offset to right at 1st floor and attic; gablehead stack above. Lean-to addition to right: window offset to right, at ground and 1st floors; wallhead stack at junction of roof types above.

N (SIDE) ELEVATION: single storey, 2-bay addition to right: window in each bay; gablehead stack to main house above. Part-glazed door to flat-roofed single bay addition, projecting further to left; window in right return; wallhead stack to roof junction to main block above.

4-, 6-, 9- and 12 pane timber sash and case windows; 3, evenly disposed rooflights to W pitch; 2 small rooflights to E pitch. Purple Welsh slate to roof apex with thick Caithness stone easing course; heavily tarred grey slate with large Caithness stone easing course to 3-bay addition to rear; heavily tarred stone slab roof to lean-to to N; stone ridge; corniced and coped gable- and wallhead stacks; cavetto moulded skewputts to W; cast-iron rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: not seen, 1998.

OUTBUILDINGS: MILL: 2-storey, 3-bay rectangular-plan roughly coursed rubble mill sited to rear (E) of main house, with stone forestair to S gable. E (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: window replacing door at ground in bay to centre. Window at ground with small opening (blocked to right) in each bay flanking. W (REAR) ELEVATION: window at each floor in bays offset to right and left of centre. N (SIDE) ELEVATION: single storey lean-to addition, offset to left at ground; centred window (blocked) above; ball finial to gablehead above. S (SIDE) ELEVATION: stone flight from E elevation to centred, boarded gable door; ball finial to gablehead above. Large Caithness slabbed roof; stone ridge; corrugated-iron roof to additions. INTERIOR: not seen, 1997.

BARN AND BYRE: irregularly fenestrated 2-storey, L-plan roughly coursed rubble barn sited to N of main house with various single storey lean-to additions to N elevation. Grey slate; stone ridge; corrugated-iron roof to additions; concrete skews. INTERIOR: not seen, 1997.

Statement of Special Interest

An exceptionally well-preserved 17th century mansion occupied by Patrick Graham of Rothiesholm, a son of Bishop George Graham. He was subsequently sold Meil House by his nephew, Partick Smith of Braco, son-in-law of Bishop George Graham. Thus the former Meil House became Graham's Hall, (see separate list description). The massive walls are pierced by small windows, a larger one lighting the drawing room. The shallow stone porch with its moulded doorpiece and steep pediment encloses an heraldic panel and perhaps influenced Lethaby (if he visited Greenwall) whose porch at the Factor's house at Melsetter, Hoy, shows similarities.

References

Bibliography

Appears on 1st edition OS map (1882); Kirkwall Archive, Miscellaneous Vol I/28, THE HISTORY OF HOLM (1977); L Burgher, ORKNEY, AN ILLUSTRATED ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE (1991), p 33;

J Gifford, HIGHLAND AND ISLANDS (1992), p 304; NMRS; AHSS Spring Tour Guide Book (1994), D20.1, (P).

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.

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Printed: 26/04/2024 16:25