Description

Large steading range disposed around square court, dating
variously from later 18th to mid/later 19th century. All
rubble with rubble dressings. Earliest surviving range is
that at west comprising kilnbarn with long elevation facing
east/west; kiln forming bow-ended gable at north and rising
above ridge as tapering rubble inverted cone terminating with
circular apex vent; square aperture in north end; later
doorway in west.
Interior: later inserted boiler fills half, but sufficient
massive masonry survives to indicate the internal form, with
flue vent in south wall, scarcement or kiln platform, and
blocked upper door, in south wall, giving access to the kiln
floor from barn.
Second, later barn, parallel to 1st at east and linked to it
at south to form U-plan north face filled with early/mid 19th
century hexagonal horse engine house with later 19th century
square chimney serving later boiler. Later barn has ramp
leading to wide entrance in north gable.
Remainder of west side of square closed by byre range, and to
east by modern cattle courts. South side filled by open
fronted fold, abutting entrance to square from road, with 6
segmental headed arched openings.
Buildings mainly roofed with Caithness slate. Welsh slates to
older barn.
Small mid 19th century 2-storey, 2-bay house sited at east
side of steading range; harled; end stacks; slate roof. (No
longer in use as dwelling.)

Statement of Interest

Caithness bottle type corn drying kiln is a rare survival and

that at Sibster is 1 of only 2 complete examples in District.

(other at Hillhead, Wick Burgh).

Dating is difficult for this traditional structure, but it is

reasonable to assume that it might have been built during

late 18th century farming improvements, following a long

established earlier tradition. Horse Engine House (providing

horse power to motivate mechanical threshing drum) is only

known example of this type in Caithness. Power of horse

superceded by the coal fired boiler served by later 19th

century stack.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17567459

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  The green guide for historic buildings: how to improve the environmental performance of listed and historic buildings
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)