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Summary

Description

Earlier/mid-18th century, long vernacular two-storey block comprising pair of cottages, near symmetrical west (entrance) elevation with three widely spaced first floor windows. Cottage to north has a central door with bipartite window to the left and one window to the right. Cottage to south has bipartite window to the right of the door. Present two-storey form probably late 18th century, possibly raised from single-storey block early on (line visible at first floor cills) when windows may also have been enlarged.

Harled random rubble with slightly battered walls, boulder base and broad stone skews. Ground floor bipartite windows are 20th century alterations, with concrete mullions and lintels. Left door has timber lintel.

Single window off-centre in south gable. North gable is surviving mutual gable from demolished adjacent building (some structural damage to Myrtle Cottage at first floor from time of this demolition). Narrower asymmetrically placed windows, and single-storey outshot additions (brick and stone) on rear elevation.

Sash and case glazing with eight lying panes. Vertically boarded doors. Steeply pitched roof and thack-stanes (indicating original thatch) on two gablehead and one central ridge brick chimneystacks.

Statement of Special Interest

One of the few vernacular houses to survive on the east side of the Main Street in Town Yetholm.

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.

Not to be confused with Myrtle Cottage, The Crescent at NT 8193 2806 (see separate listing, LB19429).

References

Bibliography

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