Crofting Experience Day with Historylinks Museum

The day will begin at 10:00 AM at Historylinks, where attendees will be introduced to traditional wool working techniques. The Spinners and Weavers group will provide live demonstrations of spinning, carding, and peg looming, with opportunities for hands-on participation. Sarah will lead a session on plant-based dyeing, showcasing various plants and natural materials used historically to dye wool, and will bring samples for participants to examine. Participants are required to bring their own packed lunch, which will be eaten at Historylinks before the group boards a mini bus for transport to Acheildh Heritage Croft. Upon arrival, Angus will deliver an in-depth talk on crofting traditions, covering topics such as animal husbandry (with a chance to meet Shetland cows and sheep), the cultivation of heritage grains like bere (an ancient form of barley), and the importance of biodiversity and peat cutting on the moorland. Angus will also discuss the historical context of crofting life, highlighting the roles of men, women, and children in these rural communities. You will have a rich, educational, and hands-on exploration of historical rural life and crafts.