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Fishtown of Usan: Lookout Tower, Fishtown of Usan

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Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved. © Copyright and database right 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms

General Details and Location

Category
AT RISK
Name of Building
Fishtown of Usan: Lookout Tower
Other Name(s)
Address
Fishtown of Usan
Locality
Postcode
Planning Authority
Divisional Area
Reference No
4095
Listing Category
C
OS Grid Ref
NO 72464 54601
Location Type
Rural Settlement
HS Reference No
4963

Description

Four stage lookout tower to the middle left of a long range of single storey cottages. Tower rising out of pitched roof gear shed, harled, with round-arched bipartite windows to each face at different stages above ground, and with oculuc to S elevation at 4th stage, below crenellated wallhead parapet with billeted corbel course and red brick stacks (') to 2 corners.

Fishtown of Usan is a fragile remains of a once thriving fishing industry, and a good example of the traditional 'fisher town'. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

The cottages appear to be earlier than the lookout tower, and may have been built to serve a saltpan on the shore nearby as well as the fishing trade. (J Hume)
Building Dates
Mid 19th century
Architects

Category of Risk and Development History

Condition
Poor
Category of Risk
High
Exemptions to State of Risk
Field Visits
30/06/2009, 23/10/2012, 7/6/2016
Development History
June 2009: External inspection finds the building is roofless and lacks floors, and is showing signs of distress.
23 October 2012: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit.
7 June 2016: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously.

Guides to Development

Conservation Area
Planning Authority Contact
PAC Telephone Number
03452 777 778

Availability

Current Availability
Unknown
Appointed Agents
Price
Occupancy
Vacant
Occupancy Type
N/A
Present/Former Uses
Name of Owners
Unverified see FAQ on ascertaining ownership
Type of Ownership
Unknown

Information Services

Additional Contacts/Information Source
Bibliography
Hume JR (1977) The Industrial Archaeology of Scotland - 2 - The Highlands and Islands, 128, London
Online Resources
Classification
Fishing
Original Entry Date
10-AUG-09
Date of Last Edit
08/08/2016