27 Court Street, Haddington

Haddington Sheriff Court is a large, early 19th century former villa linked to the northwest corner of the main building, and an extensively developed complex of Tudor Gothic buildings constructed in the 1830s and 1930s. The original section dates to 1833 by William Burn, and was later extended in 1932 with office accommodation to the right by W J Walker Todd (Dick Peddie and MacKay). Later 20th-century additions to the rear are not considered of special architectural interest.

The complex is arranged in a U-plan, with a prominent, paired elevation facing Court Street, set back from the street line. The 1833 section, located on the east side, is five bays wide, with three sections housing cell blocks of decreasing height along the side street return. The principal elevation of the 1833 building is finished in smooth ashlar, while the side and rear elevation facing the cell blocks is of stugged ashlar and random rubble. A projecting central gable bay features a gabletted arched entrance and a large oriel stair window on the first floor, flanked by slim windows recessed within niches. Octagonal corner turrets are also present. Details include a moulded base course, courses mimicking hoodmoulds over multi-pane mullioned windows, a dentil course to the parapet, and unusual paired circular ridge stacks. The 1932 western addition is a 14-bay office wing which extends to the rear. It is slightly set back from the 1833 building, and constructed in a matching Tudor Revival style using coursed rubble with sandstone dressings. There is a central pointed arched entrance doorway with carved thistle detailing, and an overhanging canted window on the first floor. A long, two-storey range runs along the rear, built of neatly coursed random rubble with a regular window pattern.

The 1833 block has multi-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows, with arched tops to the principal elevations. The main elevation of the 1932 block has side-hung, squared-pane metal windows, while the rear wing features timber sash and case windows with 6 over 9-pane glazing. The roofs are covered in graded grey slate, and cast iron rainwater goods with downpipes are integrated into the string courses.

The interior, observed in 2014, retains a good decorative scheme, especially in the main circulation areas. Later 20th-century alterations have been made to the office areas. A fine open double stone staircase, lit by an oriel window, provides access to the main entrance, with squared detail timber bannisters and smooth ashlar dadoes extending along the side corridors. The first-floor courtroom features a deep cornice and a combed ceiling. Detailed timberwork is found within the 1932 addition, including glazed office partitions and delicate thistle pattern cornicing. Festival Style wrought iron bannisters on the stair at the south end of the 1932 wing are likely related to an internal refurbishment scheme carried out by Peter Whiston in 1956. Timber panelled doors and shutters are used throughout the building.