A symmetrical pair of low whitewashed cottages shows the restrained domestic building tradition of the early mining village.
Quick facts
- Date
- Probably late 18th century
- Architect / designer
- Builder unrecorded
- Type
- Pair of miners' cottages
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB17189)
- OS grid reference
- NS 87254 12923
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
Inner doorways and outer windows create a balanced four-bay front. Rubble walls, ashlar dressings, end chimneys and a simple slate roof give the pair an almost elemental profile.
Its story
The cottages probably belong to Wanlockhead’s late-eighteenth-century growth. Later low additions at both ends altered capacity without obscuring the original paired arrangement.
Why it is included
Their early date and clear symmetry provide a useful contrast with the museum cottages and larger institutional buildings.
What to notice
- Paired central entrances.
- Low single-storey eaves beneath the hillside.
- Small gabled additions attached at either end.
Reading the surroundings
These are private homes. Observe from the public road and avoid paths, doors, windows and gardens.
Timeline
- Late 18th century The two adjoining cottages were probably erected for village households.
- 26 June 1986 Statutory listing recognised the surviving paired form.
- 2026 Current address data continues to classify Burnside as residential property.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The construction date is approximate, and current evidence establishes residential classification rather than individual occupancy.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Burnside Cottages, LB17189 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- PrimeLocation: Wanlockhead ML12 6UZ house-price register — Current address identity and residential property classification.
Location
OS grid reference NS 87254 12923 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; the independent source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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