My thoughts for what they are worth.
I think it may be two dwellings ?
The furthest away door is partly obscured by the foliage, where the second man is standing.
There are three chimney stacks, one either end and likely a shared one in the middle.
The man looks to be wearing a leather ? apron.
Have you tracked it back through the census and valuation rolls? You can search by address on the LDS 1881 census and the valuation rolls. These would give you the name of the inhabitants and their profession.
All depending in whether the cottage pre dates the records.
Good luck