Carberry Cottage, Carlops

This is a row of four, single-storey, three-bay former weavers’ cottages dating from the late 18th century, with later additions and alterations. The cottages are constructed of rendered rubble with painted ashlar dressings. Some openings have been enlarged. Canted window additions have been made to Springbank and Carberry, and a gabled timber porch addition exists at Langskaill. Single-storey, flat-roofed additions and dormers have been added to the rear.

The windows are timber sash and case, with a variety of glazing patterns. The roof is covered in grey slate, and features end and ridge stacks with tall clay cans, along with ashlar skews. Cast-iron rainwater goods are also present.

These cottages form part of a group of buildings that includes Row of 6 Cottages (Ferndale, Houlet, Amulree, Finlaggan, Blinkieknowe, Birkenbush); Row of 3 Cottages (Ashley, The Biggin, Weavers); Carlops Church; Pentland and Elphinstone; Allan Ramsay Hotel; and Row of 4 Cottages (Springbank, Carberry, Langskaill, Jess - see separate listings).

The cottages are situated roadside and contribute to the traditional character of Carlops village, which is largely defined by this building type. Springbank is notable for its scrolled skewputts. Originally, the ground floor plan of each cottage was identical, featuring a kitchen and workroom flanking a through-passage that led from the front door. Each ground floor room originally contained box beds and wide lintelled sandstone fireplaces with rounded corbels, although these features no longer survive.

The village was established in 1874 by Robert Brown, the laird of Newhall, who laid out rows of cottages on either side of the main Edinburgh to Biggar road. As the textile industry declined in the late 19th century, the village became a health resort for visitors from Edinburgh and continues to be a centre for day visitors and walkers exploring Pentland Hill. The village retains its traditional character, largely due to the linear nature of the surrounding landscape.