The Scottish Crannog Centre, Perthshire

...in Scotland and Ireland between the Neolithic ages 5000 years ago and the seventeenth century. The crannog at the Scottish Crannog Centre on the beautiful Loch Tay is a raised structure on stilts set into the beds of the loch with a circular wooden platform with a thatched roof set above the water. Crannogs were a common sight along the shores of Loch Tay with many sites identified and the crannog at the centre has been built based on archaeological ...
...over 2500 years ago. The centre has been built as far as possible using ancient tools and techniques which both furthers historical knowledge and is fascinating for the visitor.

There are no real answers as to why the Iron age people decided to build a crannog on Loch Tay instead of living on the land. The crannog can be used as a defensive structure as living on the water with a concealed entrance provides protection. Living on the ... more

Crannogs are artificial man made islands which were used as dwelling houses and were common in Scotland and Ireland between the Neolithic ages 5000 years ago and the seventeenth century. The crannog at the Scottish Crannog Centre on the beautiful Loch Tay is a raised structure on stilts set into the beds of the loch with a circular wooden platform with a thatched roof set above the water. Crannogs were a common sight along the shores of Loch Tay with many sites identified and the crannog at the centre has been built based on archaeological finds at the Oakbank crannog which stood near to Fearnan village over 2500 years ago. The centre has been built as far as possible using ancient tools and techniques which both furthers historical knowledge and is fascinating for the visitor.

There are no real answers as to why the Iron age people decided to build a crannog on Loch Tay instead of living on the land. The crannog can be used as a defensive structure as living on the water with a concealed entrance provides protection. Living on the water may also have been a status symbol for the wealthy, they may have lived on the water to escape vermin and the dreaded midge or they may have simply enjoyed the views and fishing! While nobody can be entirely sure why people lived in a crannog they are all agreed that these are remarkable structures build by a fascinating and industrious group of people.

The first part of the tour is a self guided walk through a small exhibition centre which has photos and displays which tell the visitor all about the underwater archaeology and the finds which underpin the historical basis of the centre as well as having artefacts on display. This part of the visit was interesting for the adults but the little ones soon became bored and restless here.

The next part of the tour is the guided visit onto the crannog itself. We were given woollen blankets to wrap around our shoulders to keep us warm and then guided along the wooden walkway into the crannog. The first thing that hit us when we walked inside was the smell, an extremely earthy odour which was a mixture of the animal hides and bracken floors. Our noses soon acclimatised and we sat down on wooden benches covered in animal hides so that our guide could tell us all about the crannog.

The crannog is surprisingly roomy and comfortable inside and is fitted out as close to primitive conditions as modern health and safety laws allow. The crannog dwellers lived with their animals in one room with a fire in the middle of the room and a communal raised bed. The crannog is surrounded by a deck which would be a lovely place to sit fishing in the summer.

We learned a lot during our tour about the lives of the crannog dwellers who lived in a time before written history. They enjoyed a good diet of beef, venison, mutton and goat meat from farmed and wild animals. The farm animals provided milk and cheese and wild ducks the occasional egg. The loch provided fish and grains like barley and wheat were grown with nuts and berries available in the nearby forest. The archaeological remains found in the peaty water of the loch were remarkably well preserved and finds include herbs, pollen, wooden butter dishes, human and animal waste and cooking utensils letting the historians build up a detailed picture of the lifestyle of prehistoric man. The tour guide was dressed in the clothes and leather slippers of the iron age and she encouraged us to ask questions.

After the tour of the crannog is finished there is a chance to try your hands at some Iron age crafts which are set out in another wooden tent. After visiting the crannog it is easy for us to idealise their simple lifestyle but these activities showed us exactly how hard they had to work. The first activity is wood turning using a lathe, the wood being used for building. The next activity is trying to make fire using sticks to make a spark. The third activity is grinding grain to make flour using stones. The fourth activity was to make holes in stones either by chipping away at them using other stones or by turning in a lathe. These stones were used for a variety of things like anchors for canoes or weaving looms and jewellery. The final activity was spinning thick chunks of sheep wool into thread using bobbins, the wool would eventually be used for making clothes and blankets.

The Scottish Crannog centre also has several special events during the year. When we visited the event was Primitive Pyrotechnic and Iron Age Bread and Butter Making. The name may be a bit of a mouthful but the event itself was great. For a small extra charge we were admitted into a special area where there were two separate tents set up for fire making and bread and butter making.

The ability to make fire was essential for the survival of the crannog dweller but unlike us he did not have matches or lighters at his disposal. The guide already had a couple of fires burning, one was being used to heat an iron cauldron and our job was to start new fires. The display had all of the various materials used to start fires from fungus and beech bark to flint and reeds. The fun part of the demonstration was trying to make sparks by rubbing a wooden stick with the aid of a pulley against a fireboard and then use that spark to ignite a fire. This sounds far easier than it actually was and much hilarity, frustration and competitiveness ensued as we all battled to be the first one to light a fire.

The bread and butter making demonstration was one which we all enjoyed, especially the kids. We were given a lump of dough made from spelt wheat flour ground by stone at the centre and had to kneed it and then shape it into a bread roll. We also had to churn our own butter using a paddle in a bowl of cream. Once the bread was baked in a clay oven we got to taste the fruits of our efforts, a delicious, dense and filling bread. The centre grows spelt wheat and it was great for the kids to see the process of bread making from the initial plant to the finished product.

There is a small kiosk at the centre selling hot and cold drinks and biscuits and cakes and you can sit outside at wooden tables with hand made tools to enjoy your drink. A small gift shop sells books, crafts, natural beauty products and toys.

Our visit to The Scottish Crannog Centre was enjoyed by all the members of our group which had kids ranging from the age of 3 to 13 and adults. It was an entertaining and educational afternoon and the hands on activities really brought history to life. Loch Tay is truly beautiful and a visit to The Scottish Crannog Centre can only enhance your appreciation of the area and its history.

For more information about The Scottish Crannog Centre including opening times, prices and special events see http://www.crannog.co.uk/index.html.
 

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