Pier House (Museum), Symbister, Whalsay

Probably 18th century, with alterations of circa 1830. 2-storey asymmetrical former pier house, of predominantly rectangular plan with E gable advanced (prow-like) at centre; straddling stone pier sloping down to E from shore and tapering to point at N edge; pier bounding S side of dock, open to W, and enclosed to N by N pier. Predominantly random rubble granite walls, coursed to E gable, with droved sandstone ashlar dressings.

E (ENTRANCE) GABLE: asymmetrical, vertically-boarded timber door at ground to right of rubble forestair, rising to vertically-boarded timber door to left at 1st floor.

N ELEVATION: small 4-pane fixed timber window at lower floor to left of centre; single 12-pane timber sash and case window centring elevation below eaves; deep-set vertically-boarded timber infill to full-height loading bay recess at outer right, rubble jettied out to either side support stone slab lintel and catslide-roofed canopy over timber hoist.

W GABLE: single 12-pane timber sash and case window at 1st floor to outer right.

S ELEVATION: single window at 1st floor to left of centre; ground floor continuous to right of E gable as coped buttress.

Stone slab slated roof with cut granite skew copes, block finial to E gable, and square gablehead stack with tapered cope angled to W gable.

HEM DOCK: roughly U-plan, open to W, bounded to E by retaining wall above beach; bounded to N by random rubble granite pier projecting SE from shore, with sandstone slabbed carriageway and granite steps to water at S side.