Gear Stores, Harbour, St Abbs

Mitchell & William Wilson. 1831 - 1833, with improvements 1848-49. Substantial extensions by D & T Stevenson, 1883 - 86; further 20th century additions. Original fishery harbour comprising near L-plan pier to S and E with straight pier projecting from shore to NW, enclosing near rectangular-plan basin. Later, near rectangular-plan harbour to E with later breakwater set at angle adjoining NE corner. Straight pier projecting from shore to NW, enclosing later, near rectangular-plan harbour to NW. Predominantly tooled, squared and coursed cream sandstone; rendered in part. Parapet walls to outer piers (stepped in part); iron bollards line concrete walkways.

FISH HOUSES: early 19th century. Vernacular complex sited on harbour and hillside, comprising lean-to cooperage; 2-storey and attic, gabled smokehouse and weigh inset into hillside. Random rubble bonded with clay for most part although rear of cooperage natural rock, some red brick.

COOPERAGE: single storey, L-plan lean-to adjoining natural rock.

NW (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: later timber doors inset into red brick wall. Further brick structure adjoining to left.

NE ELEVATION: central window with brick surround inset into rubble wall; natural rock projecting to left.

SW (REAR) ELEVATION: pure rock.

SE ELEVATION: blind rubble and brick wall set into rising hill.

SMOKEHOUSE: 2-storey, rectangular former smokehouse diminishing to single storey and attic to rear.

NE (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: paired doors to centre of ground floor; 2 irregularly placed windows to 1st floor.

NW ELEVATION: gabled end with blind window to 1st floor; various later adverting fascia boards irregularly placed to rest of elevation. Lower raised section projecting from ground floor for storage of nets and marker floats.

SW (REAR) ELEVATION: blind wall with remains of now blind window to left and right; wall adjoining to far right linking cooperage and smokehouse, central door now blind.

SE ELEVATION: gabled end with window to lower gablehead.

Pitched pantiled roof to smokehouse with terracotta ridge tiles, corrugated metal sheeting and felt to lean-to cooperage. Drainpipe leading onto sandstone slab water table.

INTERIOR: currently in use as stores; original cobbled floor to cooperage; partially whitewashed.