A mid 19th century 2-storey, symmetrical 3-bay building with extension to the side sounds very much like a workaday building of the period, especially on Dunbar High Street, chokka with old buildings in various states of decay on the one hand and unsympathetic modernisations and bizarre additions on the other.
But take a look inside this one at 3 Abbeylands and you’ll be forgiven for thinking that the C listing (albeit in a building “group category B”) is mistakenly undersold.
Hidden from view by a rather unsympathetic lightweight ceiling panelling is a splendid display – methinks pretty much unrivalled in Dunbar.
Even if you find the painting style and the symbolism clumsy, its hard not to want to dig deeper and explore the richness of Dunbar’s local masonic history.
There are just under 150 listed buildings in the Royal Burgh of Dunbar, mostly categorised B.
Sometimes I think there should be many more (the old GPO for sure), but I am always surprised by the ones that got onto the A list, probably by virtue of their age and size – in part because their interiors have long been modified and substantially lost.
This week I rather fancy the Swanston and Legge building, built for Barlas and Sharpe in 1899, for a promotion to the Premiere League.
If you are passing by spare a thought for those residents who are on the B or the C list.
So here is a reminder of the A listers for your delectation next time you take a passeggiata to your favourite gelatiera. This time look up!
- BELHAVEN, BELHAVEN BREWERY (MALTINGS, KILNS, VAULTS, BREWHOUSE, BOILERHOUSE, CHIMNEY, OFFICE, FORMER STABLE AND MILL).
- HIGH STREET, TOWN HOUSE (TOLBOOTH)
- HIGH STREET, COURTYARD THROUGH 71-75 HIGH STREET
- 34 HIGH STREET (Also known as the New Inn and now social housing)
- 56-60 (EVEN NOS) HIGH STREET (Dunbar Community Bakery)
- DELISLE STREET, FRIAR’S CROFT DOVECOT
- HIGH STREET, LAUDERDALE HOUSE (social housing)
- QUEEN’S ROAD PARISH CHURCH AND GRAVEYARD, CHURCH OF SCOTLAND