East Hopes

East Hopes is a stable court and steading complex, likely dating from the earlier 19th century and probably designed by James Burn. The building is quadrangular in shape. It is constructed of coursed and snecked rubble with ashlar dressings to the south range, and rubble to the other ranges, and is set on ground that falls to the north.

The south range is designed with a modest attempt at grandeur, and exhibits irregular openings with some alterations. A bold centrepiece features a pend (passage) with a blind arched head, flanked by blind trefoils. A band course runs at impost level, and a rat course is located above. An arched opening provides access to a dovecot set at the centre of the upper stage of the composition, topped by a cornice and blocking course. A gabled dovecot sits above the pend. Cottage windows are positioned to the left of the pend, while a blocked window and machinery doors are on the right. Advanced outer bays mimic the pend bay’s detailing, but without the upper dovecot stage. Timber doors lead to a cartshed entrance, a hayloft door is positioned in the right bay, and a window is located in a blinded recess in the left arch.

The west range has irregular openings relating to the cottages. A doorway is off-centre to the left, flanked by a small window to the right, and by pointed arch windows on either side. Further doors are found to the right; these are flanked by a pointed arch window to the left and small, later inserted tripartite windows to the outer bays.

The courtyard area has been significantly altered and is in a state of neglect. A timber-columned cartshed is located on the courtyard side. Small-pane glazing with intersecting tracery is incorporated within sash and case windows in the pointed arch openings.

The steading is listed at category B as a modest example of a building designed by a local architect, displaying a combination of classical and Gothic architectural styles, and in relation to Hopes House, to which James Burn’s design is attributed.