Traditional skills on display at museum craft day
Arran Heritage Museum started its summer of special events with its annual Crafts Day which attracted a large number of visitors, both young and old.
The museum, whose exhibits reflect the social history, archaeology and geology of the island, hosted a day of demonstrations of traditional skills and crafts, many of which have been lost in today’s modern world.
Starting off the day with an agricultural display, farmer John Murchie of Corriegills demonstrated sheep shearing to the delight of the children who were able to touch and feel the shorn fleeces.
Equally exciting for the children was an exhibition by Phyllis Picken who churned milk into butter in an old fashioned butter churn that the children were allowed to try by cranking the handle.
Adults took their turn to appreciate their efforts as the handmade butter was spread on scones and pancakes that were available with cream and jam.
Under a large marquee, spinners Alison Barr and Rorie Rutherford spun fleece into wool which was then woven or knitted into traditional woollen wear.
Waulking, the practice of beating newly-woven tweed to soften it, was also on display and accompanied by the traditional Gaelic waulking songs which filled the air and drifted across the manicured grounds while visitors enjoyed the edible delights of Rosa Burn Cafe.
In the shed, which operated as a smiddy from the early 19th century until the 1960s, the art of the blacksmith was resurrected, using original tools and equipment by Barry Taylor who crafted metalwork items out of metal ingots.
Rounding off a fantastic day in bright sunshine which included the excitement of tombola winners claiming their prizes, Isle of Arran Pipe Band, as usual, attracted a great deal of interest as they performed traditional songs for the crowd.