Description

Early 19th century. 2-storey, 3-bay traditional house. Squared and coursed granite rubble. Symmetrical W (principal) elevation with central part-glazed timber panelled door; rustic porch. Pair of piended dormers to E elevation, lean-to to left, weatherboarded extension to right.

Predominantly plate glass timber sash and case windows. Grey slate, tile ridge, straight skews, gable stacks with thackstanes.

INTERIOR: admission not possible at time of visit (November 2005).

Statement of Interest

Gowan Lea is a large cottage located in a prominent and highly visible location in the Castleton area of Braemar, standing on the Glenshee Road, which is the main approach from the south. Unlike many of the cottages in the village it is two storeys high, and makes a significant contribution to the streetscape and character of the area. The building's external appearance has not been significantly altered and, with the exception of two small additions to the E, its footprint is identical to that on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey. In addition this house displays traditional features which, although ubiquitous in the Highlands in the past, are becoming increasingly rare, such as Scots slate roof, timber sash and case glazing pattern and rustic porch. Gowan Lea was constructed using the traditional Scottish materials of stone, timber and slate. The use of granite furthermore demonstrates the principal building material of the locality. Gowan Lea had retained these major aspects of its architectural integrity. As one of the oldest surviving cottages in the village Gowan Lea also retains its thackstanes, evidence that it was once thatched.

Change of category from B to C(S), (2006).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56616133

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

• 
  Suffolk: West: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Huddersfield in 50 Buildings
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Worcestershire Revised Edition (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Specifications for Building Conservation: Volume 1: External Structure: Practical Examples v. 2
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)