Berneray Thatched Cottage at Laimrig Ruadh at Os Grid Reference Nf 9294 8159 Isle of Harris, Western Isles (Outer Hebrides), Scotland, UK
Listed Building Description
Text courtesy of Historic England. © Crown Copyright, reprinted under the Open Government License.
Probably 19th century. Single-storey, three bays, Hebridean-type thatched crofthouse. Massively thick battered walls, curved corners (southwest short wall almost semi-circular) built of neatly coursed squared rubble and incorporating large boulder at north. Splayed reveals to window openings. Marram thatch roof, secured with netting and weighted along the eaves by stones. In accordance with Section 1 (4A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 the following are excluded from the listing: the single storey addition on the southeast elevation.
Listed Building Statement of Special Interest
© Crown Copyright text courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland, reprinted under the Open Government License.
These vernacular buildings, once prolific across Na h-Eileanan Siar, are now extremely rare. North Lamerick continues to show regional traditional building methods and materials and retains a significant proportion of its historic fabric, vernacular form and character. Notable features include the thick rubble and battered walls and thatched roof secured with stone weights. Together with Taigh Ailean (see LB46101) and Ty Cymro (see LB46100) North Lamerick is part of a close-knit group of similar properties at Laimrig Ruadh. It is one of only 54 buildings or groups of buildings in Na h-Eileanan Siar that are known to retain a thatched roof, and is among a very small number of surviving thatched buildings across Scotland. A Survey of Thatched Buildings in Scotland, published in 2016 by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), found there were only around 200 buildings of this type remaining, most of which are found in small rural communities. Thatched buildings are often traditionally built, showing distinctive local and regional building methods and materials. Those that survive are important in helping us understand these traditional skills and an earlier way of life. In accordance with Section 1 (4A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 the following are excluded from the listing: the single storey addition on the southeast elevation. Statutory address and listed building record revised in 2021 as part of the Thatched Buildings Listing Review. Previously listed as 'Berneray Thatched Cottage at Laimrig Ruadh at OS Grid Reference NF 9294 8159'.
Listed Building References
© Crown Copyright text courtesy of Historic Environment Scotland, reprinted under the Open Government License.
Canmore: http://canmore.org.uk/ CANMORE ID 238265 Maps Ordnance Survey (surveyed 1878, published 1879) Inverness-shire - Hebrides XXVI.8 (Harris). 1st Edition. 25 inches to one mile. Southampton: Ordnance Survey. Printed Sources The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings Scotland (2016) A Survey of Thatched Buildings in Scotland. London: SPAB. p.520. Online Sources Historic Environment Scotland (2018) Scotland's Thatched Buildings: Introductory Designations Report at https://www.historicenvironment.scot/archives-and-research/publications/publication/?publicationId=8b3d1317-5a56-4416-905b-a8e800bf4c3c.