Bute, Branzer

NS05SE 27 09648 54456.

Recorded during survey of deserted settlements; records are held in the Bute Museum.

Sponsor: Bute Antiq Natur Hist Soc; St Andrews Heritage Services.

A Hannah and E Proudfoot 1994.

A farmstead annotated 'Ruins' comprising two unroofed buildings is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Argyllshire and Buteshire 1869, sheet ccxv), but it is not shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1980).

Information from RCAHMS (AKK), 15 October 1998.

NS 096 544 Site 14 Branser

On the left bank of a small burn on the south west slopes of Suidhe Catain stand the ruins of Branser township. Substantial stone footings of three rectangular buildings and yards are visible, as well as an oval structure and field system remains. Originally comprising one quarter of the £20 land of Kingarth, Branser was divided in half in the 15th century to form Largizean. The other half was gain split c.1500, the land west of Glencallum forming Kingavin (10), while that to the east remained as Branser. The site was abandoned c1800. Photo in TBNHS Vol XXIV (1996), p54.

E Proudfoot and A Hannah 2000.

NS 0964 5445. Farmstead remains: located on E side of a small ravine on SW slopes of Suidhe Catain, overlooking upper Glen Callum. There are the substantial stone wall-footings of 3 rectangular buildings and a large yard. Oval stone mound with a sunken centre 25m NE. May be remains of an older buildings or corn kiln augmented with clearance stone. There is former arable field adjoining to S. A well documented farm, in record from 1440.

Information from Bute Natural History Society Deserted Settlement Survey (1991-9)

(RCAHMS WP000273)

This farmstead is situated in rough ground on the E bank of an unnamed burn, about 340m SW of the summit of Suidhe Chatain and on its gently sloping S flank. It comprises three buildings, a corn drying kiln and a yard. The largest building is situated on a partly artificial platform and revetted into the stream bank at the E. It measures 17m from NE to SW by 6m over stone walls and there may be an entrance in the N wall. Another building is situated 12m to the NE on flatter ground and measures 11m NE to SW by 5m transversely overall. A third building, situated 15m to the S of the second, measures 16m from NE to SW by 5.5m transversely, overall and has an outshot at the SW end. What may be the remains of a corn-drying kiln lie 30m to the E of the second building. There is an oval enclosure on a terrace by the stream immediately N of the first building, and a larger enclosure to the S.

A farmstead called 'Branser' is depicted at about this location on Roy's Military Map (1747-55); 'Branzer’ is shown in more detail on a contemporary estate map (Foulis 1758-9).

Visited by RCAHMS (GFG, AGCH), 19 March 2009.