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Clock tower, dated 1790 with later alterations and additions. It is thought to be the work of Aberdeen mason James Rhind, built by public subscription and known locally as Old Town Steeple. The original clock (now on display in the Tolbooth Museum) was made by James Duncan of Old Meldrum in Aberdeenshire. In 1894 it was moved up from its original position and a new face was added. The two bells date from 1793 and 1887. The tower is of four stages with one window on each face, and is constructed from ashlar to the north and west principal elevations, with rubble to the south and east. There are channelled long and short quoins and a blocking course, a cross-pattern timber balustrade, an open-work timber parapet, a lead-covered bellcast spire, originally copper-covered, with a weathercock. The spire is set on an octagonal timber belfry with keystoned, semi-elliptical openings. The west entrance elevation has a vertically-boarded timber door with the lintel dated 1790 to the centre, with a handle-socket and spout for a pump immediately to one side. An opening at the second stage incorporates a barometer dial dated 1852, giving way to a third stage with a single window. A further blocked window at the fourth stage is surmounted by a clock face that is set into a pedimented architrave, dated 1896, breaking wallhead and flanked by the timber balustrade. A later building clasps the outer right angle to the third stage. A programme of renovation works is being undertaken (2013). The original barometer, which was incorporated into the tower for the local fishing community, has been restored and will be reinstated when repair works are complete.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)