These pictures were taken in 1970-1971 when the Laidhay Trust was set up. They show the huge amount of work required to restore the croft and turn it into the museum you see now.
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Longhouse
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Roofing the longhouse
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Kitchen, with cruck beam
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Inside Kitchen, looking at the old range
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The Barn
The Museum Today
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Living area, also used as a bedroom area.
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Box bed (donated from a nearby croft). These beds were used to separate the living area into sections.
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Caithness Chair, unique to Caithness. This style of chair was usually made from driftwood, and made quite low so the smoke from the peat fire could be avoided. The front rail would also have been used to dry clothes on.
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Kitchen stove, the range is not original but was used by the last occupant.
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Wider view of the range in the kitchen. This view matches the one taken in 1970-71
Laidhay Croft and Machinery
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Laidhay Museum seen from the road
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Laidhay Tearooms
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The barn, with some machinery outside
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Close-up of the machinery, and cart
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Old cart-house and some machinery used for ploughing and sowing
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The original cruck roof of the barn. Made from driftwood it utilised part of a ship's mast, and an oar.
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Grain threshing machine located in the barn