301-319 (Odd Nos) Cowgate And 1 And 2 High School Yards

1. City Engineers Department. 4-storey and attic, 12-bay, crowstepped and gabled, near symmetrical, Scots Baronial tenement situated on steeply sloping site with deck-access housing to High School Yards (S) and shops to ground at Cowgate (N). Squared and snecked rubble with red sandstone margins. Cornice above shops, red sandstone band course and blocking course to S. Corbelled angle bay to NE corner.

S ELEVATION: pair of recessed 7-bay sections with 1-bay outer bays flank advanced 2-bay central section. Concrete balconies with iron supporting columns and railings. Central round-arched openings leading to stairwells. Narrow sidelights to window openings to advanced bays with sandstone mullions.

Predominantly 8-and 12-pane timber sash and case windows to flats, plate glass to shops. Grey slates, gable and ridge stacks.

STEPS TO E: dog-leg flight of stairs leading from Cowgate up to High School yards, accessed through segmental-arch and with further supporting segmental arch to right. Squared and snecked rubble with red sandstone dressings. Square-plan coped dividing red sandstone piers to stair amd decorative iron railing banisters.