Stable to north of 1 Watsness

The Haa at Watsness is a two-storey, three-bay former manse, typical of the Shetland ‘haa house’ style, built between 1780 and 1833. It is situated approximately five miles west of the village of Walls on the west coast of Mainland Shetland. The property includes a large, rectangular walled enclosure to the south, a detached outbuilding to the west, and a former stable with two adjoining outbuildings arranged in a U-plan to the northwest. All buildings are constructed of locally sourced stone.

The south-facing front elevation features a pitched stone porch, offset slightly to the right of centre. Symmetrical windows are set in the flanking bays and at the first floor, all arranged centrally. The gables have moulded skews and coped chimney stacks. The west gable is blind. The north roof is covered with grey slate. The interior, as seen in 2018, retains fully timber-lined walls and ceilings in most rooms. A central timber staircase has carved newels and handrail and an upper landing. Surviving features include timber fireplaces, timber shutters, and a fixed timber ladder stair leading to a large attic space with thick rafters and collar beam ties.

The rectangular dry-stone walled enclosure to the south of the house is largely intact and includes a timber gate on its north side.

The detached outbuilding to the west is complete to wallhead, with a later corrugated cement roof. The former stable has a gabled form, a partial flagstone floor and a timber door on the east elevation. The walls have been slightly raised using cinder blocks, and the roof is corrugated cement sheet. The two buildings adjoining the stable were modified, likely around 1940, retaining much of their original rubble walls. The southernmost of these buildings has a concrete rib and cement sheet roof, while the northernmost has a round Nissen hut type corrugated roof and two window openings facing the sea.

Later 20th century alterations to the main house include pebble-dash rendering, a single-storey outshot with a half-piended roof added to the east gable, and a flat-roof concrete porch on the north elevation. Original timber sash and case windows have been replaced with side-hung casements featuring a non-traditional glazing pattern. The slate on the south roof pitch has been replaced with felt tiles. A raised concrete path with a metal handrail is also present.