Banff THI - Gordon's Granaries, High Shore

Conversion of disused granary into a flatted courtyard development containing 9 one, two and three bedroom flats

The former granary buildings date to the Late 17th Century/ Early 18th Century (category B Listed), and were originally U-shaped in plan with the courtyard having been infilled later. The block is three-storeyed, rendered, and at its East end comprises three gabled bays (each six bays long) with slate roofs orientated West to East. Other features include coped skews and chimney stacks, a slate-hung elevator tower at the West end above the grain-dressing plant, and a steel-framed canopy at the East end to protect dispatch and delivery. It occupies a seafront position, adjacent to St Mary’s Churchyard, within the Conservation area, and along with the 6 Deveronside project aims to regenerate this former industrial zone of Banff.

Left: Photos show the site as it was in 1986, complete with timber ‘awning’ over the entranceway.

The building has been disused since 1994, and is deteriorating rapidly. Internally, the timber post and beam structure is intact but there is much decay to the exterior of the building. A local building firm now owns the property, and hope to convert the building into nine housing units.

Above and Right: The first photograph is a view of the gable end of the granaries as they are today. The windows have been boarded up and the timber ‘awning’ removed. The next two photos, above right and right, show the side elevation of the granaries, again with boarded up windows. It is hoped that many of the original features can be retained during the redevelopment of the property.

Above: The left hand image is a view rear elevation facing onto High Shore, showing the ridge slated cupola which housed a hoisting mechanism. Damage can be seen to the lime harling and timber window surrounds. The other two photos are interior views of the granaries in the present state showing the internal timber structure.

Project Update May 2010

The planning process for this proposed project has almost been completed, and should be confirmed in the next couple of months. It is hoped that work will begin on site in late 2010.