Abbey Sanctuary, Abbey Strand, Edinburgh

Abbey Sanctuary, located on Abbey Strand in Edinburgh, is an early 16th century building with 17th century and later additions and alterations. This two-storey, roughly L-shaped complex consists of three interconnected buildings and an adjoining harled 16th century structure known as the 'Western Building'. The main construction is rubble built with sandstone dressings and features chamfered margins.

The principal elevation on the south side showcases three unevenly sized crow-stepped gables. To the right, there is a later segmental-arched opening that now serves as the entrance to a shop, accompanied by irregularly placed windows. A forestair with a lean-to timber and stone porch is located at the far left, leading up to a first-floor doorway on the west elevation. The southeast section of the building is slightly taller and features a pantiled garret. There is also a forestair at the rear (west elevation) that ascends to a timber outshot supported by timber columns. At the re-entrant angle, two timber doors are present, along with a pedimented dormer that breaks the eaves to the right and an attic dormer to the left.

The windows are timber sash and case, featuring multi-pane glazing. The south block is covered with graded Scottish grey slate, while the north block has a pantiled roof. A broad axial stack is found on the west block, along with end stacks on the garreted section. The building also includes cast iron rainwater goods.

Inside, the ground floor rear features a shallow-moulded plasterwork ceiling, and there are narrow steps connecting split-level rooms at the back. Some moulded stone fireplaces remain intact.