Janet Courtney Hostel, Gressy Loan, Lerwick

James Shearer of Dunfermline, 1939. 3-storey over partially-exposed basement, 9-bay asymmetrical flat-roofed International Modern hostel comprising stair tower breaking eaves at centre with 5-bay elevation partially overlapping at left, and 3-bay elevation recessed at right. Roughcast walls over stugged squared and snecked sandstone base, with concrete dressings, all painted. Cill and lintel courses at basement; eaves course. Projecting cills at windows.

NE (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: stair tower to right of centre; comprising full-height 14-light mullioned and transomed stair window surmounted by relief of burgh arms flanked by engaged finials. 5-bay regularly fenestrated elevation advanced and overlapping at right; door at basement in bay to outer left. 3-bay regularly fenestrated elevation recessed to right of tower; basement concealed; horizontally-boarded and studded 2-leaf timber entrance door with cantilevered concrete canopy at principal floor adjacent to tower.

SE ELEVATION: asymmetrical 3-bay elevation with 2-storey canted bay at basement and ground in bay to right comprising basement window at centre face, 3-light window at principal floor, parapet with stylised urns above. Regular fenestration above and in centre bay, obscured at ground by modern addition; blank bay at left.

SW (REAR) ELEVATION: irregularly composed and fenestrated elevation with 2-storey, 10-bay service building advanced at left, and modern single storey infill at right.

Timber windows, predominantly 8 and 6-pane with casements; 4-pane fixed-lights to stair tower.

TERRACE; stugged squared and snecked sandstone walls (matching basement) with concrete cope and galvanised steel railing.