Cottages To East Of Walled Garden (Riverside And Adjoining Cottage), Benmore House, Benmore Botanic Garden

This pair of roughly L-shaped, crow-stepped dormered cottages is located on the main access road to Benmore House and Steading, part of the estate's development from the early 1860s. Their architectural style reflects that of the principal buildings on the estate.

The main block of the cottages runs parallel to the road and has a rectangular shape with crow-stepped gables. At the north end, gabled wings project east and west at right angles. The north elevation features four regularly spaced openings, including a door at the northern end. The entrance to the second cottage, known as Riverside, is on the south elevation, where the main gable is positioned to the right. This side includes a three-bay facade with a central crow-stepped porch and two dormers, with the space between the dormers boxed. There are lean-to extensions at the rear.

These cottages were likely built during the ownership of James Patrick, who hired Charles Wilson to extend the house and construct the steading. The main block of the cottages probably dates from the same period and was likely intended for estate workers. After James Duncan purchased the estate in 1870, he made several improvements, and the southern extensions are likely from around 1874.

Inside the Riverside cottage, there is little original fabric remaining. Access to the northern cottage was not possible during the 2004 survey.

The cottages are constructed of squared rubble with sandstone ashlar dressings, featuring predominantly multi-pane timber sash and case windows. They have graded grey slate roofs and stone stacks with polygonal clay cans.