Railway Tavern, 16 Forth Street

Probably mid to later 19th century, possibly incorporating earlier fabric. Rare survival of public house in vernacular 2-storey (probably raised from single storey), 4-bay (at ground) terraced dwelling located on shores of River Forth and probably on site of pre-1800 drovers inn, unusual for simplicity of both interior and exterior. Roughly coursed blue/grey rubble with roughly squared quoins and raised ashlar margins to deep set windows. Deep base course.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: entrance elevation to NW. 2 closely aligned doors to centre, that to left with 2-leaf panelled timber and small keystone bearing lettering 'J DOBIE / LICENSEE', that to right with modern timber door, windows in flanking bays below slightly larger windows at 1st floor. Steep stone stair to outer left leading to timber gate and 1st floor door at gabled NE elevation.

INTERIOR: rare survival of original plan with separate rooms incorporating narrow passage with boarded dado, hatch, shelf (for passageway drinking) and bell-box leading to 3 roomed interior comprising tiny public bar at left with deep timber-lined window reveals, Art Deco detail to cast iron fireplace, plain counter with Bakelite top, back gantry of simple domestic shelving, 2-leaf glazed door to display cupboard and seating of 4 double bus seats facing single Formica-topped table on cast iron base. 3 further rooms with numbered doors, 2 and 3 with bell pushes for table service, 1 now a store room.

Principal elevations with plate glass glazing in timber sash and case windows to 1st floor, modern glazing at ground. Grey slates. Coped ashlar stacks with thackstanes and cans. Ashlar-coped skews.