Jean Macalpine's Inn, Milton

Loch Lomond And Trossachs National Park Planning Authority

Possibly 18th century origins, with subsequent modifications, substantially rebuilt to late 19th century appearance in 1990s. Range of vernacular buildings, low, single storey, gabled and thatched with turf ridge. Three contiguous sections forming eight bays wide, now one single dwelling. Coarse random rubble, principally of local schists and field stones, lime mortar. Reed thatch roof with turf and heather ridge. Levels of ground and roofs rising to east.

West section: four bays to front (south), two doors towards centre, framed and lined, flanked by two windows, roughly symmetrical. Single door to rear (20th century addition), framed and lined, no windows. Main roof structure of two adzed oak couples (Gaelic - "ceangail") springing from wallhead, with crossbeams at wallhead level and upper cross-spars all held with wooden pegs. Overlaid by two sets of oak purlins ("taobhan") plus ridge pole, overlain in turn by close-spaced larch rafters ("cabair") tied to purlins. Rubble gable-head chimney stack (recent addition).

Middle section: door central at front (south), framed and lined, flanked by small asymmetrical windows. Rear wall blank. Roof similar to west section, but incorporating single scarf-jointed Highland couple (cruck).

East section: single doorway to front (south), triangular stone vent in gable (recent introduction). Roof structure similar to west section. Windows fixed, small panes.

Interior (seen in 1996): west section has one reconstructed "hangin lum" ("simileir crochaidh") of wattle and daub over frame. Buildings are built into bedrock, which partly constitutes floor, causing drainage problems. Floor is otherwise of earth with some rough stone paving in west section.

Steps: rough stone steps to south of building appear in photographs around 1900.