Crumbling cottages to become holiday lets

DERELICT but historic fishermen’s cottages at Berriedale are set for a new lease of life after a public appeal raised £600,000 to save them.

The Landmark Trust, the building preservation charity behind the project, will now begin to restore the Shore Cottages in order to give them a secure future as holiday lets.

Fishing at Berriedale was developed by Sir John Sinclair around 1800 as an alternative livelihood for crofters from the Highlands, who were moved to the coast during the Clearances. The Shore Cottages at Berriedale probably date from the 1840s and are reminders of this harsh existence.

The cottages have stood derelict since the 1950s and their continued survival was threatened by the weather and sea until Landmark took them on in 2008.

Peter Pearce, director of the Landmark Trust said: “These cottages tell the story of a past way of life, one that deserves to be remembered.

“We are very grateful to all those who have donated to our appeal and look forward to opening the cottages for all to visit next year.

“Until then our team of conservation builders will be on site repairing the fragile fabric of the cottages.”

In 2010, the Trust undertook work on the cottages to make them weather tight and ensure their condition did not worsen while the remaining funds were being raised.

Now the building team will move on site to restore the cottages using traditional materials and skills.

The work will include uncovering and recording the original Caithness stone beneath a modern concrete floor and repairing a cobbled sluice area at the north end of the cottages which may once have been used for gutting fish. The footbridge across the Berriedale Water also requires repair as this will be the main access to the cottages.

Once restored they will be let for self-catering holidays with one cottage sleeping two people and the other six.

The rental income generated will support the buildings’ ongoing maintenance.

To follow the restoration of the Shore Cottages and to find out more about staying in them for holidays see http: