Moirlanich Longhouse facts for kids
Moirlanich Longhouse is a very old and special house in Scotland. It's a rare example of a traditional Scottish cottage. This type of house uses a unique building method called a cruck frame. Imagine big, curved wooden beams that look like upside-down V's. These beams support the roof and walls.
The longhouse is found in a beautiful area called Glen Lochay. This is near a town called Killin in the Stirling region of Scotland. The National Trust for Scotland now owns this historic building. They work to protect important places like this. You can visit Moirlanich Longhouse from May to September each year. It's a great way to see how people lived long ago.
During a recent update to the house, workers removed the outer roof. They found parts of the original roof underneath. This old roof was made of thatching. Thatching uses natural materials like straw or reeds. Studying these old roof parts has taught experts a lot. It helped them understand more about how people built thatched roofs in Scotland many years ago.
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What Makes Moirlanich Longhouse Special?
A Look Inside a Cruck Frame House
Moirlanich Longhouse is important because it shows a "cruck frame" design. This was a common way to build houses in Scotland a long time ago. The cruck frame uses large, curved wooden timbers. These timbers stretch from the ground all the way up to the roof. They form the main support structure for the entire house. It's like the skeleton of the building. This method made houses strong and sturdy.
Uncovering History: The Roof's Secrets
The roof of Moirlanich Longhouse holds many secrets. For a long time, it had a modern, corrugated roof. But when this was taken off, something amazing was found. The original thatched roof was still there underneath! Thatching is an ancient way of roofing. It uses layers of dried plant materials. These materials could be straw, reeds, or heather.
Finding the old thatch was a big deal for historians. They could study how it was put together. This helped them learn more about building techniques from the past. It also showed how people used local materials to create warm and dry homes. This discovery added a lot to our knowledge of Scottish history.
Visiting Moirlanich Longhouse
If you want to step back in time, Moirlanich Longhouse is a great place to visit. The National Trust for Scotland looks after it. They make sure it stays in good condition for everyone to enjoy. The house is open for visitors during the warmer months. This is usually from May until September. You can explore the house and imagine what life was like for families who lived there centuries ago. It's a unique chance to see a piece of Scottish history up close.
External Links
- Learn more on the National Trust for Scotland website
