West

What we know about Calf Muzzles

On the west coast of Scotland muzzles woven from willow were put on calves to prevent them from suckling for a while. Often a farmer or crofter may only have one cow and if it had a calf suckling …Continue reading “What we know about Calf Muzzles”
The Hope MacDougall Collection, Dunollie Castle, Oban

By Stephanie Bunn A fortuitous meeting at the Fisheries Museum in Anstruther led to a very quick decision to visit Dunollie Castle and the Hope MacDougall Collection in Oban. Catherine Gillies, long term manager, keeper and general champion of the …Continue reading “The Hope MacDougall Collection, Dunollie Castle, Oban”
Traveller Basket-makers

One of the least known groups of basket-makers in Scotland are the Travelling people. We know from historical accounts by authors such as Timothy Neat and from the School of Scottish Studies Archives that, alongside working as tinsmiths and making …Continue reading “Traveller Basket-makers”
Dumfries Museum by Julie Gurr

Earlier this year I arranged to view baskets that were held by Dumfries Museum. When I told them about the research on basketry being done by the Scottish Basketmakers’ Circle the staff at the museum were extremely helpful and collected …Continue reading “Dumfries Museum by Julie Gurr”