Lluest Fawr was at one time a large upland holding, but now survives only as a ruined drystone complex which consists of the former dwelling, now reduced to its wall bases, and associated folds or outbuildings (NPRN 285339). The site was owned by Sir Watkins Williams Wynn of Wynnstay during the 18th century, and the earliest map of the site is a Wynnstay estate map dating to 1763. This map provides some interesting information pertaining to the function and date of abandonment of the settlement. The map schedule includes the following statement;
'The boundaries of this sheepwalk were shown by Mr Morris (the Tenants) shepherd, who lives in the house over the brook at the east (sic ' this should read west) end of Lleast, said he had known it ___ years and seemed quite clear in his description thereof.'
This description tells us that the holding was only a sheepwalk, with the dwelling evidently no longer in use and the tenant living in a neighbouring holding, probably either Lluest Gota or Lluest y Grafia, which lie a short distance to the west over the boundary in Ceredigion (and outside the study area). The tenant, Mr Morris, was paying £2/10s in rent, and 4s 8d Land Tax for a little over 612 acres of mountain pasture, that extend eastwards of the abandoned dwelling. Over 80 years later, the Machynlleth parish tithe map records that Lluest Fawr sheepwalk was still a little over 612 acres in extent, by then in the occupation of one Edward Jones, and still a Wynnstay estate property.
The field visit to the site in 2005 discovered not only that the settlement complex survives in relatively good condition, although in a ruinous state, but that there are traces of small field enclosures (NPRN 285656) to the southwest of the dwelling that suggest some attempt may have been made to improve the adjacent ground, possibly for the purpose of raising small crops of root vegetables such as potatoes. No clear evidence of cultivation was identified however. There is no reason to believe that the dwelling was occupied after the mid-18th century, but this would conform with the tendency for many upland lluest sites to fall into disuse between 1750 and 1800. A small long hut, nearby on Esgair Gorddi (NPRN 285657) may be an ancillary structure to Lluest Fawr. R.P. Sambrook, Trysor, 15 January 2006
