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Tomison's Academy, South Ronaldsay
Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved. © Copyright and database right 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms
Useful Links
- Canmore:
- SOUTH RONALDSAY, TOMISON'S ACADEMY
- Historic Scotland:
- HS Reference No 18726
General Details and Location
Category
AT RISK
Name of Building
Tomison's Academy
Other Name(s)
Address
South Ronaldsay
Locality
Postcode
Planning Authority
Divisional Area
Reference No
1531
Listing Category
B
OS Grid Ref
ND 44294 85638
Location Type
Rural
HS Reference No
18726
Description
Tall single-storey, 3 piended roof school room pavilions in T-plan arrangment, 2-window fronts except at flanks to re-entrant angles, 1-window with lower porches in angles; harrow angular coursers, ashlar quoins the width of two coursers, ashlar plinth and porches, fenestration
mullion and transom crosses with small lying-panes; slated roofs, that of central pavilion straddled by group of 3 ashlar chimney stacks, battered with neo Greek capital - cornices, outer stacks square-plan centre stack
oblong with columnar chimney cans in 1-3-1 arrangement giving effective silhouette.
Founded under the will of William Tomison (1739-1829) of the Hudson's Bay Company. (Historic Scotland)
mullion and transom crosses with small lying-panes; slated roofs, that of central pavilion straddled by group of 3 ashlar chimney stacks, battered with neo Greek capital - cornices, outer stacks square-plan centre stack
oblong with columnar chimney cans in 1-3-1 arrangement giving effective silhouette.
Founded under the will of William Tomison (1739-1829) of the Hudson's Bay Company. (Historic Scotland)
Building Dates
1851
Architects
Unknown
Category of Risk and Development History
Condition
Fair
Category of Risk
Moderate
Exemptions to State of Risk
Field Visits
September 1996, September 2000, July 2004, 14/08/2009, 11/9/2013
Development History
September 1996: External inspection reveals the school to be disused and at risk from neglect. 1999: SCT receives information that the South Ronaldsay Community Association is hoping to convert the school into a museum. July 2004: External inspection reveals the school to remain in fair condition.
August 2008: Orkney Council forwards recent images of the school and note that whilst remaining unoccupied, the property is in reasonable condition.
April 2009: The Orcadian reports Orkney Wireless Museum have expressed an interest in the building as a location for the collection of over 600 radio sets.
August 2009: External inspection affirms the condition of the building is relatively static. It is noted that much of the guttering is missing or malfunctioning.
14 August 2013: Local planners advise Orkney Council sold the property to a private restorer in July 2013.
11 September 2013: External inspection finds the main building remains relatively sounds, but outbuildings are in a poor state.
5 March 2024: Desk-based assessment suggests building remains At-Risk.
Guides to Development
Conservation Area
Planning Authority Contact
PAC Telephone Number
01856 873535
Availability
Current Availability
Not Available
Appointed Agents
Price
Occupancy
Vacant
Occupancy Type
N/A
Present/Former Uses
Building Uses Information:
Present Use 1: N/A Former Use 1: School/College/University
Present Use 2: N/A Former Use 2: N/A
Present Use 1: N/A Former Use 1: School/College/University
Present Use 2: N/A Former Use 2: N/A
Name of Owners
Unverified see FAQ on ascertaining ownership
Type of Ownership
Private
Information Services
Additional Contacts/Information Source
Bibliography
Burgher (1991), pp65-66; The Orcadian, 5, 14, 21 and 28 July 1951.
Online Resources
Classification
Schools
Original Entry Date
09-SEP-96
Date of Last Edit
05/03/2014