Description

Mid 19th century. Single storey and attic, 3-bay cottage with associated 'wee house', parallel to SW. Granite rubble, deep eaves with projecting rafters. Symmetrical NE (principal) elevation with central 2-leaf timber boarded door. Pair of gable dormers breaking eaves, single traditional roof light between.

Replacement timber 4-pane top hopper windows. Graded grey slates. Gable stacks, thackstanes.

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

WEE HOUSE: to SW, parallel to cottage. Later 19th century. Single storey. Rubble with 2 widely spaced timber boarded doors to NE elevation, SW elevation weatherboarded with 2 non-traditional windows. Corrugated-iron roof. Pipe flue to W. gable

Statement of Interest

Juniper Cottage is one of a group of listed cottages in Braemar which follow the distinctive traditional character of simple single storey and attic cottage with associated 'wee house'. Prominently located on the Mar Road in the centre of the village and as such highly visible, the cottage makes a significant impact to the streetscape, and its setting remains much as it has been in the past.

The cottage follows a pattern of construction which is particular to the highlands, and the cottage displays the use of traditional materials and methods. The use of granite is a particular feature of Aberdeenshire where this was the most readily available material. The gabled dormer, timber sash and case glazing pattern and slate roof are all traditional features of the area, and Juniper Cottage has retained much of its original character. The external appearance of the cottage remains substantially unaltered, and its footprint is unchanged since the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey. In addition, Juniper Cottage is the only house in Braemar to retain its graded Glen Callater stone slates. Local knowledge also suggests the cottage was built with stones from Kindrochit Castle.

The associated 'wee house' is a particularly unusual survival distinguishing this locality and demonstrates the historical development of the village through tourism. In the nineteenth century Deeside was increasingly seen as a health resort, and this, combined with the beauty of the landscape drew comparisons with Switzerland, a perception which was only enhanced by the 'Alpine' character of some of the buildings. Therefore, and especially after the Royal Family spent time in the area fro the 1840s and the arrival of the Railway to Ballater in the 1850s, there was an increasing influx of tourists with money to spend. In response, the residents of Braemar built 'wee houses' in their gardens to live in themselves during the summer season, so they were able to let their cottages to visitors to the area. Juniper Cottage is unusual in that the house is partly built of rubble, partly timber, the rest of these buildings in the village are timber.

The pairing of cottage and 'wee house', a grouping which survives particularly well in Braemar, is an important reflection of the historical and social development of the area.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q56616151

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.

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