62 Scotch Street, Downpatrick, County Down, BT30 6AN

62 Scotch Street is a fine three and two storey late Georgian terrace townhouse located on the north side of Scotch Street, to the northeast of Downpatrick town centre. The building comprises two distinct phases of construction: a main three storey portion dating from the late 18th century, and a two storey section added around 1840.

The asymmetrical south facade features the principal entrance slightly right of centre. A short flight of steps leads up to a recent six panel door flanked by three-quarter fluted Doric columns with plain abacus supporting a projecting canopy. The fanlight above is semicircular but the astragals are now missing. To the left of the doorway are two sash windows with horizontal astragals (2/2 panes) and vermiculated quoins. To the right, and partly within the two storey section, are four similar windows. The ground floor openings have vermiculated quoins and voussoirs dating from around 1840. The first floor of the three storey section contains four windows without quoins. The second floor has four more windows with modern frames. The first floor of the two storey section has three windows set at a slightly higher level than those of the main section.

The ground floor facade is finished in V-jointed lined render with heavy vermiculated in-out dressings and voussoirs to door and window openings. The walls to first and second floors are of random rubble construction, with brick dressings to all first and second floor windows. A short parapet tops the three storey section. The entire facade is painted dark brown. All roof sections are slated. Three brick chimney stacks rise from the main roof: two serve the three storey section and one the two storey section.

To the right side of the rear elevation is a large two storey gabled return. The north gable is blank. The west face, not accessible, shows internal evidence of being blank. The east face has a stone external stair to the left side, with a low-headed door opening cut beneath it. To the right of the stair are three windows of irregular size and spacing with modern timber frames. The first floor left has a door at the head of the steps, its head raised and cutting through eaves level. To the left is a gabled half dormer with modern window frame and to the far right a small window with modern frame. The second floor of the three storey section has one sash window with Georgian panes (6/6).

To the left of the rear facade is the rear of the two storey section which wraps around the left side of the three storey section and joins the side of the large return. A small two storey lean-to return is attached to the left of the north face of the two storey section, with its roof merging into the main roof. The ground floor of this return has a large flat arch vehicle doorway with timber sheeted double door, and to its right a small window with PVC frame. The first floor right has an 8/8 sash window. The main rear wall to the right has one 8/8 sash window to ground floor. The first floor left has a small 4/2 window, while at an intermediate level to the right is a semicircular headed sash window with plain sash frame. The far right is abutted by the end of the external stair. The two storey return to the rear has two chimney stacks: a short brick one to the gable and a much taller rendered one further south. All of the rear elevation is finished in roughcast render except the north face of the large return, which is in random rubble. Rw goods are a mixture of cast iron and PVC.

Small raised gardens flank either side of the front door, contained by low plain retaining walls with modern cope stone. The railings to the gardens were removed during the Second World War, as were many others in the area.

Scotch Street, originally known as Barrack Street, had been developed prior to around 1720. The three storey section probably dates from the latter half of the 18th century, though lack of documentary evidence makes certainty difficult. It is probably identifiable as the house belonging to a Dr Bingham recorded in the 1838 valuation with a rateable value of £15. The two storey portion appears to have been added in the mid-19th century, replacing an earlier building which does not appear to have been an appendage to the three storey section. The vermiculated dressings to the front ground floor openings were probably added at this time. Local tradition holds that the main three storey portion was built by a merchant who used its high vantage point to observe the comings and goings of boats at Quoile Quay, and that the property belonged for a period to a family named Forsythe, though dates for this ownership are uncertain.