Building record MHG16955 - The Shieling, Scourie Village

Listed category changed from C(S) to B on 14/07/04 <1>

An L-plan house and shop, built in the earlier 19th century with later additions. The original dwelling house comprised the left 4 bays, the former hardware shop the right 3 bays. The single storey wing to the south-east was built in the mid to late 19th century to accommodate a general store. This was originally a separate building and at some time has been joined to the main house. A single storey outshut lies to the rear of the house which was used for storage and which reportedly has a timber-lined interior with original shop fixtures and fittings. Other original features are reported to survive within the house and former shop. The style of the crowstepped gables is not typical of buildings on the Sutherland Estate. It is believed that the house may have been built by Donald MacDonald from Rogart in the 1820s, rather than by the Estate, which would explain the stylistic difference. <2>

Photographs and descriptive information relating to the rear wing were submitted in February 2009 following a grant of planning consent for alterations. It appears that many of the original features mentioned in the listed building report have been removed during the last 30 years. <3>

The present kitchen in the rear wing is served by two chimneys which lead from what appears to be a large fireplace, around 6 ft long, now bricked over. It is possible that this was a forge used for manufacturing ironmongery on site for sale in the hardware shop. <4>