13 Swanston Village, Edinburgh

14 Swanston Village is a converted group of five single-storey cottages, originally early to mid-18th century thatched structures, located at the foot of the Pentland Hills on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The cottages were refurbished between 1959 and 1962 by J Wilson Paterson for the Edinburgh Corporation. Number 13 has late 20th century alterations, while number 14 has early 21st century changes. This building forms part of the west side of the group.

The cottages are arranged in a long rectangular plan with eight bays, featuring a lower, two-bay gabled outshot that projects from the south side of the east elevation. The entrance elevation faces east and displays a pattern of paired doors and single windows, reflecting the original five separate cottages. There are also small ventilator windows. The exterior is rendered and painted random rubble on rough rubble foundations, with deeply recessed window margins.

The window openings are small and fitted with timber sash and case frames that have horns, typically with a nine-pane glazing pattern. The doors are vertical boarded timber with small rectangular glazed panels. The far left door opens outward and acts as a shutter to an inner glazed door. The roof is thatched with reed and secured with chicken wire, featuring a concrete ridge and stone skews. There are squared concrete gable and ridge chimney stacks topped with plain clay cans, along with cast iron rainwater goods.

The interior, observed in 2017, primarily showcases early 21st century detailing, with simple stone fire surrounds dating from the late 18th century. The thick internal cross walls between the former cottages and deep window sills are prominent in the room layout. A late 20th century staircase leads to the converted roof space.