A mid-eighteenth-century warehouse later associated with Portsoy marble retains its forestair, shuttered opening and an unusual corner window.
Quick facts
- Date
- Mid-18th century
- Architect / designer
- Unknown
- Type
- Three-storey irregular former warehouse and stone workshop
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB40294)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 58850 66340
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The broad harled building rises through three storeys, with part of the upper level in the attic. A central stone stair serves the first floor; small high lights, varied glazing, rooflights and a tiny angled window reveal its irregular working design.
Its story
The building is traditionally known as James Watt’s Warehouse and later became connected with working the decorative stone marketed as Portsoy marble. It belongs to the tightly interdependent Shorehead trading group.
Why it is included
Category B listing protects a robust working building linked to one of Portsoy’s most distinctive mineral and craft stories.
What to notice
- The central external forestair.
- A small window placed across the corner.
- A surviving shutter on a ground-floor opening.
Reading the surroundings
Treat the building as closed unless current opening is clearly advertised. Keep loading spaces and entrances unobstructed.
Timeline
- Mid-18th century A multi-level warehouse joined the commercial harbour frontage.
- Later industrial use Stone working connected the building with Portsoy marble.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The exact construction year, the basis of the James Watt name and current use were not independently established.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Portsoy Marble Workshop, LB40294 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB40294 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 58850 66340 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; an additional source confirms record identity and archival context. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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