Description

Around mid-19th century small, two-room, single-storey three-bay cottage, retaining original thatched roof beneath subsequent corrugated iron roof and 'boxed' barge-boarding at eaves. Mixed rubble, part rendered at west gable, with squared sandstone dressings.

South (entrance) elevation: symmetrical with pair of 12-pane sash and case windows flanking door in timber lean-to porch. Eight-pane sash and case window close to ground to right in west gable.

Subsequent alterations: brick chimneystack at east rebuilt 20th century. Earlier A-frame adzes couples subsequently reinforced by dressed timber couples. Timber and corrugated iron roofed lean-to at east gable. Thatch beneath corrugated iron fixed directly onto purlins. Distinctive horizontally-layered turf skewputt possibly unique survivals of local vernacular technique.

Statement of Interest

Situated in yard behind premises of J. A. Halliday (plasterers), High Street, Earlston. Listed at category B because of unique survival of vernacular thatch.

It is among a relatively small number of traditional buildings with a surviving thatched roof found across Scotland. A Survey of Thatched Buildings in Scotland, published in 2016 by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), found there were only around 200 buildings of this type remaining, most of which are found in small rural communities. Thatched buildings are often traditionally built, showing distinctive local and regional building methods and materials. Those that survive are important in helping us understand these traditional skills and an earlier way of life.

Listed building record revised in 2019 as part of the Thatched Buildings Listing Review 2017-19.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17852026

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy