But and ben

But and ben (or butt and ben) is an architectural style for a simple building, usually applied to a residence. The etymology is from the Scots term for a two-roomed cottage.^[1] The term describes a basic design of "outer room" conjoined with "inner room" as a residential building plan; the outer room, used as an antechamber or kitchen, is the but, while the inner room is the ben.^[2] The word but, here, comes from Early Scots/Middle English "bouten" "outside", and ben from ES/ME "binnen", "inside".

Derelict but and ben near Lochhill

See also

• Housing portal

• Blackhouse
• Bothy
• Cottage
• The Broons

References

• C. Michael Hogan, Knossos fieldnotes, Modern Antiquarian (2007)
• Ernest Ingersoll (1906) The Wit of the Wild, Published by Dodd, Mead and company, 294 pages