12 Boat Brae, Newport-On-Tay

12 Boat Brae is a row of seven single-storey shops, likely dating to around 1878, although it may incorporate an earlier building. It exhibits a bold and squat decorative Italianate design. The shops each feature a door and a shop window, with pilastered doorpieces and shouldered and round-headed arches over both doors and windows. The exterior is finished in cream-painted ashlar, with raised painted ashlar panels in a sandy yellow colour, and includes a base course and eaves course.

The principal east elevation has a corner angle at the northern end (numbers 2 and 4). Numbers 2 and 4 share a prominent feature with two adjacent doors and flanking shop windows, all set within moulded, shouldered arches. Number 2 adjoins a former ferry terminal building. Corniced paired pilasters flank the doors; a fluted base is present. Stop-chamfered square-plan piers, featuring a cornice, base course, and advanced star detail, are located to the right of number 2 and the left of number 4. A large opening accommodates numbers 6 and 8, with a plain, stop-chamfered central pier and flanking doors set within large flanking shop windows. Round-arched doorways with flanking single pilasters and adjacent shop windows are found at numbers 10 and 12. Star detail is present at the centre and above the piers. Number 14, at the far left, features a round-arched doorway, a single pilaster, a shop window to the right, and two terminating pilasters to the left.

The south elevation reveals exposed rubble in the lower half of the gable, with painted ashlar above and raised panels in a contrasting colour. The west elevation is partially visible and shows exposed rubble to the rear, along with a number of windows and stacks.

Original two-leaf round-headed timber panelled doors are present at numbers 10, 12, and 14. Numbers 6 and 8 have timber and glazed doors with margin glazing. A replacement timber door is at number 4, and a timber panelled door is at number 2. Large plate glass shop windows with shouldered arches are present at all shops except numbers 6 and 8. Some windows are boarded, and a fixed window with astragals is at number 4. Fittings for window security covers remain at number 12. Plate glass windows are set within timber sash and case frames at the rear (west).

The building has a pitched roof covered with grey slates to the rear and lead to the east, featuring antifixa at the ridges. Felt covers the west roof. Three gablets are present on the south elevation, raised at the centre with surmounting antifixa (some of which are missing). A gablet also tops numbers 10, 12 and 14. Projecting eaves are found on all but the west elevation.

Internally, partially visible in 2002, shouldered arched doors and glazed panels are found on the inner shop doors. Corner fireplaces with cast-iron grates and timber mantels are present. Timber tongue and groove panelling is above the dado height, along with a cornice. Window blinds are present on some shop windows.