It was designed in the Scottish medieval style, built by Robert and James Forbes in stone with a cement render finish and was completed in 1770.

The centre bay featured a short flight of steps leading up to a doorway with a stone surround and a cornice.

[7] Zetland County Council acquired the building in 1965 and subsequently rented it out to the British Red Cross, the Shetland Tourist Association and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service.

The works involved removal of the roof, stripping back the interior to the walls, and the insertion of a steel frame to support the floors inside the building.

[8] The works, which were carried out by DITT Construction to a design by PJP Architects, also involved the restoration of the original clock tower which had been removed in 1927.