The Old Manse, Western Road, Insch

The Old Manse is a substantial former manse dating back to 1771, with subsequent additions and alterations in 1826 and 1850. A further wing was added in 1850, and the building was subdivided in the late 20th century. It is a 2-storey and attic building, originally 3 bays long, now forming an L-shaped plan with a later gabled, 2-storey wing to the west. The exterior is constructed from coursed, roughly squared rubble with squared rubble quoins, harl, quoin strips, and some ashlar dressings. The property retains a significant setting, including a walled garden.

The south elevation, which is the principal facade, shows three original bays set back to the right. The centre bay originally had a doorway which has been altered into a window, traces of a former porch, known as raggle, remaining. There is a window to the right and a doorway to the left, now behind a lean-to conservatory. The doorway features a moulded doorhead, a 2-leaf panelled timber door, and a plate glass fanlight. A regular pattern of windows is visible on the first floor, with canted dormers over the outer bays and a small modern rooflight off-centre to the left. An advanced, finialled gable is located on the left, with a canted window at ground level, abutting the cill of a bipartite window above with a moulded windowhead.

The north elevation displays an advanced gable on the right with symmetrical fenestration on each return. The return to the right also has dormer windows. A set-back bay to the left has a door to the right and a window to the left, integrated into a lean-to former milk house at ground level. There is a single window on the first floor and a screen wall at the outer left. The later gabled wing to the west partially screens the original gable.

On the east elevation, a broad gabled bay includes a small casement window (formerly a door) to the left and a single window to the right at ground level. A screen wall abuts on the outer right, incorporating a pedestrian door and a bell originally from a church in Forfar.

The west elevation, belonging to the 1850 wing, features a projecting chimney breast that rises into a large, shouldered stack on the right. A modern conservatory is situated at ground level, and a single window is located to the left on the first floor.

The windows are mostly timber sash and case, with 4- and 12-pane glazing and plate glass. Some windows have secondary glazing. The roof is covered with graded grey Foudland Quarry slates. The chimney stacks are constructed from coped squared rubble and harl, with thackstanes and cans, some being polygonal. Ashlar-coped skew details include beak and moulded skewputts.

The interior retains much of its original detail, including decorative cornices, plasterwork ceiling roses, timber floors, and two staircases. In the 1850 wing (No. 1), features include a partially glazed screen door, a cantilevered timber stair with a platt staircase and decorative cast-iron balusters, a picture rail, working shutters, a timber fire surround in a small bedroom, and what was formerly a drawing room.