A long rope-making building, house and cottage row survive as a rare linear industrial group at East Links.
Quick facts
- Date
- Early to mid-19th century
- Architect / designer
- Unknown
- Type
- Linear ropery with adjoining house and three cottages
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB10655)
- OS grid reference
- NJ 59363 66014
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The ropery extends for about 100 feet with irregular openings, loft doors at each end, an external stair and a long access ramp. A two-storey house and three smaller cottages continue the line, mixing pantile and slate roofs.
Its story
The complex developed in the early nineteenth century to support rope manufacture, an essential trade for fishing and shipping. Housing joined the workshop so production and domestic life occupied one extended group.
Why it is included
Category B listing recognises an uncommon industrial survival whose linear plan makes the working process and its associated community legible.
What to notice
- Loft doors at opposite ends of the ropery.
- The long ramp serving the upper level.
- Transition from workshop to house and cottages.
Reading the surroundings
Do not enter buildings or yards without permission. Heed current condition notices and observe only from lawful public routes.
Timeline
- Early 19th century A long workshop supported rope production for maritime trades.
- Early to mid-19th century A house and three cottages extended the industrial line.
- Later decline Redundancy left a rare but vulnerable complex.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The latest structural condition, present uses and degree of public access were not verified.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Portsoy Old Ropery Complex, LB10655 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB10655 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
Location
OS grid reference NJ 59363 66014 · 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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