Crannog Revisited

A few days ago I received a question from my friend in Australia, concerning an article she had read in her local paper. She asked whether the Crannog in Kenmore was indeed rebuilt, as she knew that, shortly after our visit in 2016 it had burned down to the water that it stood in.

The best way to answer, we thought, was to go and see for ourselves. With her still in Australia that unpleasant task fell to the Flums and, commitments and bad weather in abeyance, we went today.

A new centre has been constructed on the opposite bank of the loch from that sad pile of wet charcoal; several new iron-age designs have been erected but with differences in their detail, in particular, that of the roof. That in the photo is made of woven hazel from base to top, rather like an upside-down basket, with a stone wall surround, leaving a 0.5m (18ins) gap. The purpose of this is unclear but based on constructions elsewhere.

Talks and demonstrations of different aspects of iron-age living are held in these buildings, given by staff, one of whom, from Ukraine, on her first day and managed so well to inform us of the foods and processes of the time served in beautifully-made wooden vessels. Iron-working, wood turning and textiles were all explained in great detail.

However, the most important information that we received was that a new crannog will be built at this site, starting in two weeks' time and should be finished in approximately 18 months' time. There are also plans to construct two more further south. Much to keep us returning!

After the tour we returned to the museum to examine the displays again and took a wander by the loch before heading off, some 2 hours later.

Being on a Day Out we came back via the Falls of Dochart to wander on the famous rocks, take more photos much like any other.