5 Melvin Place, Stromness

3 Melvin Place in Stromness is a row of three cottages built in the late 18th to early 19th century, with later alterations and additions. The cottages have a rectangular plan and consist of a two-storey over basement, three-bay symmetrical gable-ended cottage on the east (number 1), a two-storey and attic, two-bay asymmetrical cottage in the center (number 3), and a single-storey asymmetrical four-bay cottage on the west (number 5). The ground rises to the west. The exterior of numbers 1 and 3 features pointed rubble with painted cement margins around the openings, while number 5 is harled. The first-floor windows of number 1 are set close under the eaves.

On the south (principal) elevation, number 1 has a deep-set part-glazed timber panelled door in the center bay at ground level, with a window above on the first floor. There is a small basement window in the right bay and a window at each floor in the left bay. Number 3 has a deep-set part-glazed boarded door in the right bay at ground level, with a small window above on the first floor. There are windows at each floor in the left bay and a gabletted dormer window above. Number 5 features a modern door in the bay to the right of center, with a window in each remaining bay.

The north (rear) elevation of number 1 has a single bay with a window at each floor, centered. Number 3 also has a single bay with a small window set to the outer left at each floor and a gabletted dormer above. Number 5 has a single bay with a window set to the outer right at ground level.

The east elevation shows the two-bay gable end of number 1, featuring a deep-set boarded basement door in the left bay and a window at ground level above. There is a window at each floor in the right bay and a gablehead stack. The west elevation displays the single bay gable end of number 5, with a stone flight leading to a timber panelled door set to the left and a gablehead stack above.

The cottages exhibit a variety of glazing patterns, including two, nine, and twelve-pane timber sash and case windows. Number 1 has a Caithness slate roof with a stone ridge, stone skews, and corniced rubble gablehead stacks. Number 3 features a grey slate roof, slate on the dormers, a stone ridge, cement skews, and common harled corniced ridge stacks. Number 5 has a grey slate roof and a harled coped gablehead stack. The cottages predominantly use uPVC for rainwater goods. The interior was not seen during the last inspection in 1997.