Milner, Cottages, Hessilhead

These early 19th century cottages form a row of eight bays, now under single ownership, with an adjoining byre and barn arranged linearly along the road. They represent a good example of vernacular building constructed for farm workers, traditionally painted in cream and red. The cottages are built of limewashed rubble with some painted margins, and feature alternating timber boarded doors and windows. One window at the outer left end has been reduced in size, and a small window is located at the right end of the range. The roofs are covered in grey slates laid in diminishing courses, with a stone ridge, stone skews to the left gable, and two ridge stacks topped with circular clay cans. UPVC glazing has replaced the original timber sash and case windows, which were of a four-pane over six-pane design.

The rear elevation features later extensions and lean-tos. The interior of the cottages was not inspected in 2003.

Historically, map evidence suggests a later horse-engine house once stood to the rear of the range. Hessilhead is a remote and small settlement, and these cottages are likely the best-preserved building present. The settlement, marked as ‘Hessilhead Town' on current maps and also on John Thomson’s map of 1828 and the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1858, includes a few small cottages, the ruins of a former saw mill, and a building that served as a school in the 19th century (now converted into a dwelling). The ruins of Hessilhead Castle are located to the north east, and a castle named 'Hazelhead' is marked on Andrew Armstrong’s map of 1775.