27, 28 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh

Hugh Cairncross, building 1807. Classical double tenement with common stair to centre; symmetrical 3-storey basement and attic, 11-bay elevation to Gayfield Square. Smooth V-jointed rustication to ground floor (except centre bay), droved ashlar to upper floors and all storeys of centre bay (droved ashlar to basement; predominantly coursed rubble with dressed margins to rear). Dividing band between basement and ground floor and between ground and 1st floor (excluding centre bay); cill band to 1st floor; main cornice dividing 2nd and attic floors; eaves course. Centre bay slightly recessed. Regular fenestration.

SW (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: to centre bay to ground floor, timber-panelled door with 6-pane fanlight; to centre bay to left advanced section, 2-leaf timber panelled door with umbrella glazing to segmental fanlight and pilastered doorpiece; to centre bay to right advanced section, timber- panelled door with umbrella glazing to segmental fanlight, doorpiece with sunk-panelled jambs; steps and platt over-arching basement recess to each doorway.

GLAZING etc: predominantly 12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows; some 15-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows to rear elevation. M-roof with valley gutter; graded grey slates; stone skews and skewputts. Corniced ashlar mutual ridge stacks to far left and far right; 2 corniced ashlar ridge stacks to front pitch to centre; 1 corniced, rendered ridge stack to rear pitch; 2 corniced, rendered wallhead stacks to rear; circular cans to all stacks.

RAILINGS: to edge of basement recess and platts, stone copes (edging of basement only) surmounted by spear-head and urn finialled cast iron railings.