Ayre Mill House, Kirkwall

Later 19th century, eastern kiln, dated 1869, with later alterations and additions. 3-storey and attic, 15-bay, former saw and meal mill, now converted as flats (see Notes), comprising 12-bay central section with raised, crowstepped-gabled, flanking kilns; 2-storey, 3-bay (later) house abutting W end; single storey, 3-bay store abutting E end. Harled to W end; squared and roughly course rubble to E end. Cornice course between floors to W end; eaves course.

N (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: bays grouped 2-6-6-1. 6-bay group to left of centre: boarded door at ground in bay to penultimate right. Regularly disposed windows in each bay at each floor remaining, (blocked window at ground in bay to centre). 6-bay group to right of centre, (7-bay at ground): modern, part-glazed door in bays 1, 5 and 7 (from left) at ground; regularly disposed windows in each bay at each floor remaining. 2-bay kiln to outer left: boarded door at ground in bay to right; small attic window above. Window at ground floor in bay to left; small attic window above. 2-bay kiln to outer right: large sliding door with modern part-glazed door flanking to left at ground; window at 1st floor; 2 evenly disposed circular motifs at 2nd floor above. 3-bay house to outer right: modern part-glazed door with small-pane fanlight at ground in bay to centre; window at 1st floor above. Windows at each floor in each bay flanking. Single storey store to outer left: sliding boarded door with 2 small window flanking to right.

S (REAR) ELEVATION: irregularly fenestrated with single storey range spanning central bays at ground; piended addition to outer right; 6-bay single storey pitched-roofed addition projecting at right angles to outer left.

E (SIDE) ELEVATION: store addition projecting from ground to left of centre; tall central stair window; 2 evenly disposed attic windows above.

Variety of glazing patterns including fixed small-pane timber-framed windows, uPVC windows, replacement small-pane timber-framed windows with top-hung upper lights, 4-pane timber sash and case windows to W end house. Grey slate roof; stone ridge; stone skews; harled, coped gablehead stack to W end of mill complex; predominantly uPVC rainwater goods.

INTERIORS: not seen, 1998.