Highland Hame

This is a replica of a traditional highland cottage of the type used between the 16th and the 19th century.

Over a hundred people were involved in creating this replica building. Often all that remains of the early buildings are the stone footings which kept the wooden cruck frame off the ground to stop it from rotting. Houses were built on the 500 yard principle ie all the materials used to construct the cottage could be found within 500 yards. Stone wasn't always available, so turf was commonly used for house walls. There are no screws or nails involved in this method of construction. All of the joints are made using wooden pegs. The pegs could be knocked out, the frame dismantled, taken away, and re-erected elsewhere.

The house is built on the Ardess Hidden History Trail, at Rowardennan, which is a short walking route around the remains of the community of Ardess. Ardess was abandoned around the end of the 18th century, when the local landowner evicted his tenants and planted oakwoods across the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. Wood from the oak trees were used to supply charcoal for the Industrial Revolution, while the bark was used to tan leather, which was used in drive belts on machines in factories in cities such as Glasgow.

This picture was taken on 2 September 2017.