An imposing Palladian mansion overlooking Eyemouth Harbour from the right bank of the Eye Water, Gunsgreen House was built c.1753 for John Nisbet, a local merchant who was thought to have been involved in smuggling - a popular occupation in Eyemouth at the time. A distinctive composition of red sandstone and white harling, this Category A-listed five-bay house is thought to have been the work of architects James (1732-94) and John Adam (1721-92). Comprising three storeys and a basement, it now sits on a large rubble-built curved bastion, constructed later in the 18th century, and buttressed for support against the fishing quay below. Gunsgreen is said to have had its roof-space stacked with illicit tea, and be riddled with hidden stores and secret passages. The kitchen was in the basement and a bread-oven can still be seen. The dining room is on the ground floor, with the drawing room on the first floor. Bedrooms are distributed between all three upper floors, while a single staircase rises from the basement to service all of the floors above and features a Cuban mahogany banister. Fine plasterwork and original wood-panelling can be observed in some of the rooms, while a recent discovery is suggested to be some of the earliest hand-painted Chinese wallpaper in existence.
For a time serving as the club-house for Eyemouth Golf Club, the building is owned by Scottish Borders Council. In 2007 work began on a £2.2 million refurbishment under the direction of the Gunsgreen House Trust.
