Description

Possibly later to late 18th century, single storey, three-bay cottage with large two-storey 20th century house attached to north. Battered rubble walls. Symmetrical south elevation with later 19th century timber gabled porch at centre, with two-leaf doors, flanked by small and deep set windows with timber gableheads. Boarded gables to west and east elevations, vertical trunks to west, horizontal boards to east.

Timber four-pane sash and case windows. Corrugated-iron roof. Harled gable chimney stacks with octagonal flues.

Interior: not seen in 2005.

Statement of Interest

Balvenie is one of the oldest surviving structures in Braemar. It dates back to when this type of building was the only form to be seen in the hamlet of Auchendryne, although its rear elevation has been lost with the addition of a large 20th century house. The principal elevation retains much of its 18 and 19th century character with distinctive small and deep set windows and battered rubblework, a clear indication of traditional materials and methods.

Balvenie predates the later comparable single storey and attic cottages in Braemar and is therefore part of the early development of the village in a tradition which was continued in the later tourist led buildings.

The previous description (written in 1991) noted that there may be existing thatch under the current roof. It was not possible to verify this at time of visit. If thatch survives it is among a relatively small number of traditional buildings with a 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.

Category changed from B to C in 2006.

Listed building record revised in 2021 as part of the Thatched Buildings Listing Review.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56616148

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

• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Sussex: West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability