CROFT HOUSES

 

These homes were built to last.

Croft Houses were originally from the mid 1800's to late 1960's. However many people on the Shetlands live in restored Croft Houses now. The original ones were usually owned by people who earned their livelihood by the sea. Grandparents, parents and children all lived in one croft house. When the men were at sea, the wife and family worked the land. The thatch roof is held down by the fishing nets. This is a restored Croft House.

 

The home was basically 2 rooms with  "the Ben END" holding the bedroom and the "But END" holding the kitchen. The barn and byre were all accessible under the same room without going outside, which was a good idea with their difficult mate. Everything was made with things found and collected from the floors to the kitchen appliances. There were only necessities in this way of life. Peat was burned in the fireplaces.






Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter that is unique to certain areas. It takes thousands  of years to develop peat deposits. The peat is cut and then laid out to dry. Once dry it can be burned in the fireplaces.

Stacks of peat to dry.

This man was cutting peat when we passed by. He has a special shovel to cut the peat.