Whithorn, 10 George Street, The Grapes Hotel

NX 446 403 A Level 1–2 standing building survey was undertaken on 12–15 October 2009. The recording works

indicated that the structure had developed over time from a simple rectangular building that fronted onto the main street, to a large hotel with a 5-bay two-storey Georgian façade with numerous 19th-century additions to the rear. However, during the course of the works no structural remains pre-dating the 19th century were located and no architectural features of note were observed. The existing structure comprised mainly locally quarried greywacke, outcrops of which were clearly visible at the base of some of the walls as well as on the floor.

Archive: RCAHMS. Report: Dumfries and Galloway SMR

Funder: Conlin Properties Ltd

Rebecca Shaw – Rebecca Shaw Archaeological Services

NX 44662 40336 A Level 2 historic building survey and an archaeological watching brief of The Grapes Hotel, 10 George Street, Whithorn were carried out in April to July 2021, prior to the alteration of the existing structure including external and internal adaptions.

The site shows the remains of a 19th-century outbuilding relating to the former Grapes Hotel, which may have been a brewery, as stated by John Hume; however, this is not possible to prove. The building retains no original features and its overall fabric has suffered due to exposure to the elements over a number of years.

The results of the watching brief identified that the area had been extensively reworked and mostly built into the bedrock and natural. A small area of cobbled yard surface survived under a later concrete surface.

Archive: NRHE

Funder: All Roads Lead to Whithorn Trust

Robert Usher and Steven Watt – AOC Archaeology Group

(Source: DES Vol 22)