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Summary

Description

From 18th century with later works. Formally laid out (now ruinous) former fishing station on site sloping to shore at E comprising symmetrical 2-storey 3-bay house with rear wing to W and courtyard to E, latter enclosed by scalloped walls linking to single storey 3-bay fishing booths at shore; walled gardens flanking to N and S of courtyard; E wall of S garden continuous to S incorporating remains of 3-bay booth with adjoining barn; walls flanking avenue rising to west and curving around rock outcrop to meet public road; small field adjoining N gable of house with remains of broch (?) centred to N, small gabled rubble barns at N and S corners of W end; single storey 3-bay cottage to W of main house with small barn adjacent to SW.

SLIP: ruinous random rubble slip adjacent to N booth.

Statement of Special Interest

Despite its presently ruinous condition, this is an important group in terms of its size and layout. The Palladian form of the house and booth, and the formal arrangement of the adjoining fields and gardens suggests this was one of Shetland's most important fishing stations. This was the birthplace of John Clunies Ross who was born in 1786, and eventually went to sea. He visited Direction Island in 1827 and settled there, appointing himself as ruler.

References

Bibliography

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