Description

Margaretsfield is a row of three adjoining single-storey worker's cottages, dating from around the mid-19^th century, with later alterations and additions. They are of rubble construction, rendered and painted with contrasting margins. Each has a symmetrical, three-bay arrangement to the main (east) elevation, comprising a central door and flanking windows (one cottage now doubled, with blocked door). Single-storey, piended-roof additions abut to the rear (west) elevations. The roofs are largely graded slate with red ashlar sandstone chimneys and skews. The roof of No. 1 is covered in replacement tiles. The window openings are in a mixture of styles and are largely uPVC replacements. The cottages are situated perpendicular to the road and are located approximately 2.5km northwest of Ruthwell and 12km southeast of Dumfries.

There is a row of associated outbuildings to the rear (now altered) and the cottages have corresponding strips of land to the east. There are low coped boundary walls of brick construction to the south and west.

Statement of Interest

Margaretsfield Cottages meet the criteria for listing for the following reasons:

• They are a good representative example of a row of rural worker's cottages that retain much of their mid-19^th century vernacular character.
• Their symmetrical, three-bay arrangement, comprising a central door and flanking windows, is characteristic of agricultural cottages dating from the Improvement period.
• Located perpendicular to the road, much of their historic setting remains evident, with a row of associated outbuildings running parallel to the rear (now altered) and the corresponding narrow strips of land to the east.
• There have been later additions to the rear elevations and some changes to the internal and external fabric, but these have not adversely affected the authenticity or overall character of the buildings.
• As a group, their low, linear form and traditional appearance remain largely intact, particularly to the main elevations.
• The cottages are not rare or early examples of their building type, but they retain a good degree of authenticity in their surviving exterior form, roofline and openings.

Supplementary information in building record updated in 2026.

External Links

• Wikidata Q56622750

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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