Gardener's Cottage, Melsetter House, Hoy

Late 18th century/early 19th century, remodelled 1898-1900 by W R Lethaby. 2-storey and single storey and loft; long rectangular-plan cottage; originally (prior to remodelling) part of steading. 2-storey 3-bay section with low wide 1st floor windows to S; long single storey and loft range to W; both with some exposed relieving arches (from original building). Harled with sandstone and ashlar dressings. Exposed lintels to some ground floor openings only. Vertical margins at arrises at E end.

N ELEVATION: 2-storey section to left. Entrance to lean-to porch to right of centre; plain timber door; windows to flanking returns. Irregularly disposed flanking windows to each floor. Single storey and loft section to right. 2 windows to outer left; 3 irregularly disposed doors to right (that to left larger with 2-leaf door).

S ELEVATION: 2-storey section to right. Entrance in between 2 bays to left; replacement part-glazed timber door; exposed relieving arch above. Window to each of 2 bays to right (that to left small). Low wide window to each bay to 1st floor (that to right wider). 8 irregularly disposed windows of different sizes to single storey and loft section to left (grouped 1-2-3-2); that to outer left with original architrave; exposed relieving arches to 2 of those to right of centre.

E ELEVATION: rectangular-plan projection containing steps up to 1st floor to most of ground floor of gable end; steps with parapet ascending to right; entrance to store room beneath steps to right return. Entrance with boarded timber door to right of 1st floor; architraved owl hole above. Window to left.

W ELEVATION: stone steps to either side of platform in front of central loft entrance to gable end.

4 and 12-pane timber sash and case windows and 4 and 8-pane casements and fixed frames. Stone slate roof. Harled gablehead stacks with band courses to either side (E and W) of 2-storey section; similar ridge stack to centre; round cans.

INTERIOR: largely modernised.

STONE SETTS AND GARDEN WALL TO N: short section of irregular stone setts immediately adjoining most of N elevation. U-shaped coursed rubble wall with rounded rubble coping encloses garden area to N of 2-storey section as far as stone setts.