Briar Cottage, Lochearnhead

Loch Lomond And Trossachs National Park Planning Authority

Probably late 18th century or early 19th century, renovated from derelict with additions to west end and rear by Findlay McKinnell Associates in 1997-2000. Linear range of two single-storey thatched cottages (now joined to form one cottage) comprising three-bay cruck-framed cottage to east; slightly taller and longer three-bay cottage to centre; two-bay section to west. 1997 extension at right-angles to rear of larger cottage.

Each former cottage has a central door with flanking windows. Two-leaf timber-boarded door to central cottage and half-glazed timber door to east cottage. 1997 rubble chimney stacks replacing original rendered stacks on east gablehead of each cottage. Although a once common form of vernacular construction, very few cruck-framed cottages now survive. This is a good example of a cruck-framed thatched cottage, occupying a prominent position by the A85.

Interior: the east cottage has a cruck-framed roof with two central crucks braced at top with two cross-beams and three purlins to each side supporting closely-laid common rafters. 1997 rubble chimneypiece to east cottage. Arched rubble chimneypiece to central cottage (kitchen). East cottage is open to rafters with roof construction exposed.

Materials: random rubble, including some large boulders, mostly at base and quoins. 12-pane glazing in timber sash and case windows. Tay reed thatched roof with turf ridge. Corrugated metal roof to rear addition. During renovation the harl was removed and the stonework pointed and left exposed.