Orbost House, Skye

Orbost House is an early 19th century, two-storey classical house with a wide three-bay design. It has been added to the east gable of a simpler two-storey and attic, three-bay dwelling from the late 18th century. The main (east) facade is constructed of tooled Soay stone with polished ashlar dressings, while the flanks are harled. The earlier house is made of rubble.

The principal facade features a slightly advanced, pedimented central bay adorned with three terminal urns, and giant angle pilasters on the outer bays. It has a cornice and a blocking course. The entrance includes an engaged Roman Doric columned doorpiece with a decorative fanlight, sidelights, and a panelled door, which is accessed by a flight of steps. The ground floor windows are taller than those on the first floor and feature 12-pane glazing. There are one ground and two upper windows on the south gable, along with broad corniced end stacks and slate roofs.

At the rear, various wings form a courtyard range. Inside, the main house boasts enriched plaster ceilings, a curved staircase with decorative cast-iron balusters, some original chimney pieces, and marbled architraves on the hallway doors, as well as a bow-ended study. Notably, doors in the earlier portion of the house have the dates 1764 and 1765 scratched on them.