Crofters Cottage by artaddict2

Photography • Historical • posted on Aug 13, 2008

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Description

Laidhay Croft, preserved as a museum. situated 18 miles south of Wick just outside Dunbeath, Caithness Scotland. Laidhay is a typical ancient long-house or Byre-dwelling which was once a common feature of the Scottish rural landscape. Initially members of the family and their livestock would entered by a single door at the side of the wall and inside there was generally there was little or no permanent division between their respective living quarters! Later in the 19th and 20th ceturies, more windows were added and permanent division between the kitchen and the byre constucted. The croft which comprised 16 acres of arable land together with rights over 15 acres of rough grazing came into possession of the Bethune family in 1842 with whom it remained until 1968. Families were large and sleeping quarters were cramped. We saw an old photo on the wall showing the Bethune family an elderly gentlman, the head of the family lived up to the age of 92. Thanks for looking, enjoy your Wednesday!