27, Big Sand, Gairloch

Traditional Wester Ross cottage; single storey 3 bays with later byre extension at west gable. Random rubble with some harl pointing. Off-centre door, flanking windows; left (west window) original size with 4-pane glazing, right windows slightly enlarged with modern glazing. Single small window, centre rear. Stone end stack at east gable apex; thatched "lum" with wooden box lining showing through worn thatch at west gable apex. Thatched roof held down with wire netting stones. Corrugated iron roof to end byre. Small rubble thatched outbuilding stands by cottage; of similar build and date as house.

Only thatched "lum" remaining in Ross and Cromarty District One other thatched house inhabited in District (Applecross). 27, Big Sand lived in until June 1981 (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

June 1990: External inspection reveals the cottage to be vacant and deteriorating, having last been inhabited in 1981. Local planners are advocating restoration via the Friends of Thatched Houses, though the owner has not responded. February 1997: External inspection reveals the cottage to be ruinous, with its roof now collapsed. February 2000: Local planners are unaware of any change.

September 2012: Highland Building Preservation Trust make a site visit to Big Sand and forward an image of the cottage, which remains a roofless ruin, with the exception of a small section of intact corrugated iron roof.

6 September 2012: Desk based assessment suggests the building remained a partially roofed ruin in 2008.

18 June 2013: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit.

28 November 2018: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition - a roofless ruin.

22 February 2024: Desk-based assessment suggests the building remains At-Risk.