Everyday Folklore

Horseshoes, hawthorn, hagstones, houseleeks – they have all been used through history to protect a home from evil spirits, witches and even being struck by lightning. In 2025 the theme running through our displays and events is folklore. We’ll continue to explore the history of the cottage and rural life, but will also look at the many instances of folk traditions, customs and tales found around the site.

When you visit you’ll be able to discover artefacts connected with some of the ways people tried to protect their homes; traditions connected with butter making and other household crafts, and calendar customs such as harvest and Halloween.

Many of our special events throughout this year will have a folklore theme including the folklore of protecting the home, bagpiper folk tales, folklore of butter making, the return of the very popular fairies day, folklore of death and burial, Scottish folk tale storytelling, witches in fact and fiction, our annual traditional Sowen nicht, and winter traditions.

Please visit the website for dates of the events programme, or telephone a keyholder to let you in at other times (numbers are displayed in the cottage window). Admission free, donations welcomed.