PRIORSLYNN Bothy in Canonbie hosted an open day recently, giving the community the opportunity to visit the clay-walled, cruck-framed and thatched building.
It is the only building in Scotland where these elements are found together, making it Category A listed.
Master craftspeople greeted guests, including the owner of the building, Alex Gibbons, a Fellow of The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
He was joined by master thatcher William Tegetmeir, archaeologist Daniël Postma, woodworker Wilson Irving and carpenter, Mick Reid.
Among the visitors were Bryce Riley and Thomas Little and his mum Emma Bell. Thomas, four, was excited to see the “mud-pie house”.
Bryce said: “It’s fascinating to see and reminds me of other buildings and cottages in the area, especially sections of the roof in Harelaw Slack when I lived there.
“I particularly love how the new window feature has been incorporated because you see the new merging with the old.”
Pip Soodeen, who works for SPAB, was also on hand to answer questions. SPAB, which was founded by William Morris in 1887, educates and advises people on the repair of old buildings and runs courses in practical building repair. Visit www.spab.org.uk for more information.
Alex enjoys welcoming people to the open days and talking about the building. It is not usually open to the public because it is a building site.
By the end of November, Alex hopes to have completed the thatching and glazing as well as repairing the floors and plastering the walls.
His intention is to spend Christmas in the bothy and he will offer another open day before then. Details will be given in the E&L Advertiser.
Alex is currently looking for a labourer / apprentice to help with the thatching project. If you are interested, call him on 07871 690 605 or drop by with a CV.