Description

Early or mid 19th century, single-storey, former smithy range. Rubble construction with some harl remaining to south (front) elevation. South elevation with small and deeply set window to far left, single low door near centre. Single low door to north (rear) elevation. Vertical timber boarding to end gables with plain bargeboards. Low rubble lean-to to west gable.

Single metal flue to west gable. Corrugated iron roof covering thatch (possibly heather or bracken).

Statement of Interest

While its date is not clear it is likely that this building dates from the early to mid 19th century, and it appears on the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map. Of particular note is the lack of openings. It is possible that much of the work of the Smithy may have been carried out in an associated yard, although it has not been possible to confirm this.

The building is an important survival of a traditional vernacular industrial building in the historic hamlet of Inverey. It shows a great deal of traditional character through its simple rubble construction, remaining harl and timber roof structure. As a smithy it is probable that this building was one of the first in the village to have a corrugated iron roof as a fire precaution, given the combustible nature of thatch. Retaining the thatch as insulation would have helped to prevent condensation forming on the iron, which could rot the sarking and create a potential hazard if it dropped onto the work area.

It is among a relatively small number of traditional buildings with a surviving thatched roof found 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.

Listed building record revised in 2021 as part of the Thatched Buildings Listing Review.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q77779978

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

• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Sheffield and the South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
• 
  Dorset (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)