Ross Institute, Bridge Street, Halkirk

The Ross Institute, built in 1912 and designed by Sinclair Macdonald of Thurso, is a tall, symmetrical building of Baronial style. It is two storeys with a central, advanced three-storey tower. The exterior is constructed of coursed, tooled rubble stone with ashlar dressings, featuring long and short detailing. A chamfered angle is present at the northwest corner, with a small ground floor window.

The main entrance is centrally located within the base of the tower and is round-headed with a hoodmould, displaying an inscription and a 1912 datestone above. Bipartite windows are found on the south, east, and west sides of the third storey. The tower has corbelled angle bartizans, with a corbelled upper portion incorporating crowstepped gablets and clock faces; a squat pyramidal spire topped with an apex finial and cast-iron weather vane. Paired bays surrounding the porch also feature bipartite windows, and corbelled angle bartizans have fishscale slated roofs with cast-iron decorative finials. Upper sashes have multi-pane glazing. A lower, two-storey wing extends to the rear. Corniced end stacks rise from the slate roof.

A pair of square rubble gate piers flank the central pedestrian entrance, linked by a low, coped retaining wall enclosing the corner site and returning around a War Memorial. Spearhead railings and a matching pair of carriage gates are located at the extreme right. The Ross Institute was presented to Halkirk by Mr John Ross of Dunedin, New Zealand and formerly of Halkirk, and was opened by his son, Mr John Sinclair Ross. Conditions for its use stipulated that it should not be used by travelling theatrical companies or for the service of intoxicating drink. Reports of the opening ceremony appear in the John O'Groat Journal of 8 March, 1912, and 6 March, 1912.