Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Mid-later 19th century. Single storey, linear range; 3-bay cottage; threshing barn with early-earlier 20th century wind-engine piers; byres. Flagstone rubble walls; some harling remains to cottage.

S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: L-plan byre attached to rear of cottage to W; 2 central doors; door to right directly behind cottage. Later lean-to shed to far W; double doors. Cottage to right; window to left; 20th century concrete porch, door in right return. 2 windows to right. Stone base for metal sheet water tank between windows. Threshing barn to E; door to left; wind-engine piers advanced to right of door; attached to barn wall. Middle flagstone bridging piece between piers, shaft support and lower bevel gears remain. Shed/byre to far E; door to left.

E ELEVATION: central window to byre/shed.

N ELEVATION: partially seen, 2000. Window to rear of threshing barn; remains of lean-to to right. Cottage to W with lean-to to right. Plain elevation to W byre.

W ELEVATION: window to left in cottage; plain gable wall to byre and lean-to shed.

Varied fenestration to cottage including 4-pane timber sash and case window. Replacement timber boarded doors throughout. Pitched roofs; crude crowsteps to W byre W gable. Underseamed flagstone roof with aisins to all except corrugated iron sheeting to E byre/shed. Glazing panes set within large roof flags to all roofs. 2 coped gable end stacks to cottage and 1 central ridge stack. 1 circular clay can remaining.

INTERIORS: not seen, 2000.

Statement of Special Interest

Hillhouse is a well preserved example of a traditional Orkney croft; typical 3-bay, single storey cottage with flanking barn and byres. Hillhouse remains in good condition and is notable for the retention of the piers which supported the machinery for the wind-powered threshing machine. It is thought that wind-powered threshing machines were developed locally from the mid 19th century onwards; they are to be found in areas of high wind and limited opportunities for water power; and such was their suitability that several continued in use until the 1960's. Hillhouse is one of approximately 4 sites on Westray to retain the wind-engine piers. The piers stand at about 3 metres high and are complete. Although some features of the wind-engine remain, namely the flagstone bridging piece, shaft support stone which held the central shaft in situ, and the lower bevel gears, the majority of the machinery has gone including the flagstones which capped the piers and supported the shaft; central shaft; sail arms and upper gears. According to the SVBWG article, the owner reported that the wind engine was installed in 1926, and was last used in 1945. The roof of the cottage is in better condition than the farm buildings; suggesting mid 20th century repair.

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.