Lanark Sheriff Court

Lanark Sheriff Court is a classical-style court house, dating from 1834 to 1836 with later additions in 1868. It was designed by Hugh Marr, originally as County Buildings and later as a court house. The building comprises a seven-bay symmetrical block from 1834 to 1836, linked by a lower entrance bay to a five-bay symmetrical court house from 1868. A flat-roofed extension to the east, added at a later date, isn't considered of particular architectural interest.

The building is constructed of sandstone ashlar, with channelled detailing at ground level and rustication at the basement of the 1868 section. It features a band course, cornice, and a balustrade with a central parapet to the later building. Most windows have panelled aprons.

The 1834 to 1836 section has a distinctive central three-bay pedimented section with round-arched openings to the ground floor and Doric columns on the first floor. A central entrance is provided. The remaining ground floor windows have square heads with channelled voussoirs; a band course runs along the first floor, and pilasters are located at the end bays.

The 1868 section has a slightly advanced central three-bay section with recessed round-arched windows on the ground floor and pilasters flanking the bays on the first floor. The windows on the first floor have bracketed cornices; the central window has an ornate pediment.

The 1834 to 1836 block has predominantly lying-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. The 1868 block has 2-over-2-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows.

The interior, recorded in 2014, is arranged around two courtrooms on the first floor, with associated offices. It was significantly refurbished in 2005 to 2007. The main courtroom is square and has a coffered ceiling with decorative cornicing and large windows overlooking Hope Street. The original furniture and fittings were replaced during the 2005 to 2007 refurbishment. Further decorative plasterwork is found in other parts of the building, including rooms and a hall. There is a plain stone stair with metal balusters and a timber handrail.

A low, coped, droved, coursed sandstone wall runs along Hope Street, with three pairs of square-plan capped gatepiers. The gatepiers in front of the 1836 building are surmounted by metal lanterns. The wall is topped by iron railings.