Cottage Restoration

A cottage like this would be repaired and rebuilt many times in its life. By the 1970's, the cottage was in a poor state of repair, and was derelict. The restoration by the local Greiner family saved the building, and it became a home again.

By 1990, the cottage was again empty and derelict, and was given to Solway Heritage by the then owner, Mr Ian Mills along with a donation of £1,000. Solway Heritage prepared a scheme of repairs, and supervised the restoration in consultation with Historic Scotland.

The majority of the work was undertaken by master thatcher Jeremy Cox of Corsock, with the large crucks and other main timbers being repaired by craftsman Mike Todd.

Careful attention was given to good conservation practice and the use of authentic materials and workmanship using traditional tools. The crucks were first dismantled and numbered, so that they could be reconstructed and replaced in their original position. It was only when the backs and bases of the crucks were first revealed, that the full extent of the repairs was discovered.

Tree trunks and branches were chosen to match the shape of the existing crucks. The new wood was carefully spliced into the old to make a strong repair. Walls were re-pointed and wall tops re-bedded in traditional mortar. The hanging lum was re-constructed using a timber frame plastered in mud, cow dung and lime daub. Finally the roof was re-thatched using wheat straw over heather turf.

Outside. Roger Lewis, the drystane dyker from Twynholm, Kirkcudbright, constructed the dyke and laid the cobbled driveway. Notice also the wooden gate - constructed without nails!

In 2004, the roof of the cottage was again repaired and re-thatched by Jeremy Cox.

The members of the Cruck Cottage Heritage Association now take responsibility for the day to day upkeep of the cottage, and carry out minor repairs, limewashing, etc, using traditional materials. It is essential to maintain the cottage in its present condition, and ensure that it never again falls into disrepair.

The Cruck Cottage Heritage Association

In 2003, the Cruck Cottage Heritage Association was formed by a group of local residents. The aim of the Association, with the co-operation of Solway Heritage, is to maintain the cottage in its present condition, raise the necessary funds, and promote and encourage access by both the local, and wider, community. The Association hope to arrange regular open days, craft demonstrations, school visits, musical and story telling evenings and the like. Eventually it is hoped to develop the cottage as a local heritage centre, with displays of relevant artefacts, documents and pictures.

The cottage has been furnished and dressed as it would have appeared around 1900. All the furnishings and artefacts used are genuine, and great attention has been given to every small detail. 

For further details, please telephone (0044) 01387750202

E-mail: bill.lawson@onetel.com

Please also have a look at our new website on

www.cruckcottage.co.uk