Description

Later 19th century. Single storey and attic 3-bay cottage with adjoining timber 'wee house' to N gable. Harled. Symmetrical E (principal) elevation with central 4-leaf panelled door with stained glass upper panels, dentilled cornice and rectangular light above, 'DAISY BANK'. Pair of piended and canted dormer to attic. Cat slide dormer to W (rear) elevation, later lean-to to left.

Timber 4-pane sash and case windows roof lights to front and rear. Slate roof, gable stacks.

INTERIOR: remarkable survival of a barely altered cottage interior. 2 rooms over 2 with central stair aligned with length of building, alcove (probably for box bed) in kitchen. Bell pushes still in situ throughout cottage, bell box in kitchen.

TIMBER WEE HOUSE: added circa 1890, adjoined to N. gable. Single storey, 4-bay, flush weatherboarded wee house; door off-centre to left of E (principal) elevation, flanking timber sash and case windows with further window to right. 3 doors and window to W elevation. Single door and small window to S elevation. Corrugated iron roof, central brick stack.

INTERIOR: retains all internal panelling, range still in situ. Wash house to S with original sinks and late 19th century cast iron 'washing tub' in situ.

Statement of Interest

Daisy Bank is the best surviving intact example of the properties in Braemar which follow the distinctive traditional character of simple single storey and attic cottage with associated timber 'wee house'. This building type is of particular significance in Braemar since it is clear evidence of the tourist based development of the village in the mid to late 19th century. In this case the survival of both the cottage and the wee house intact make Daisy Bank the most remarkable example of this pairing of buildings; it is also now unique in that its 'wee house' adjoins the main building, other examples of adjoined wee houses have been lost, a factor which only adds to this particularly special survival. Daisy Bank also displays the traditional methods used in the construction of these cottages and the use of the region's traditional materials, granite, timber and slate, is also clearly evident. The cottage also has the dentilled cornice to its front door, which is a feature of several of these properties.

The timber 'wee house' is a particularly unusual survival distinguishing this locality and demonstrates the historical development of the village through tourism. In the nineteenth century Deeside was increasingly seen as a health resort, and this, combined with the beauty of the landscape drew comparisons with Switzerland, a perception which was only enhanced by the 'Alpine' character of some of the buildings. Therefore, and especially after the Royal Family spent time in the area from the 1840s, and the arrival of the Railway in the 1850s, there was an increasing influx of tourists with money to spend. In response, the residents of Braemar built 'wee houses' in their gardens to live in during the summer season, so they were able to let their cottages to visitors to the area. The presence of bell pushes in the rooms of Daisybank, along with the bell box in the kitchen, give further insight into the lives of the past residents, indicating that service was an inescapable element of life while the cottage was let to guests. Like the cottage the adjoined timber wee house at Daisybank has survived with little or no alterations, retaining its internal panelling, range and washhouse. Other existing examples in the village have either been modernised or had important features removed; this example remains intact.

The tub in the wash house bears the inscription 'FALKIRK' with panels of animals heads, cast by John Hardy's at the Falkirk Ironworks.

Change of Category from C(S) to B, (2006).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17776984

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides): Written by Charles O'Brien, 2014 Edition, Publisher: Yale University Press [Hardcover]
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability