Auld Smiddy

in keeping with the delightful old tractor of yesterday I thought I would bring you a shot of the old Smiddy and steading which sit along the farm track opposite my sister-in-law's cottage.

We think the Smiddy was originally built in the 17th century and the buildings from left to right are:- The Shooing Shed, now with a corrugated roof and where the horses would be brought and tethered prior to being re-shod; the Blacksmith's workshop; the ruin of the former dwelling house (which now looks a bit like a lean-to) where the workers would have lived; and finally the steading, or outbuilding, where animals would have been kept along with bits of equipment. Musicians and other artists apparently used to gather in the Shooing shed for impromptu Ceilidhs. Weeds are now growing out of the roans and the roofs are either sagging or replaced by corrugated iron but inside you can still use your imagination as you look at the stone fireplaces, tethering areas for the animals and bits of old machinery. It is now home to at least 6 swallow nests and probably other small animals too.

The ruined shell of a building standing back from the smiddy on the left, and facing the main road, apparently used to belong to "a lady of the road" who brought up four children on her own who all grew up to go their separate ways but all, seemingly, did well for themselves. I have put into my blipfolio two wonderful old photos showing the blacksmiths standing in their workshop and the entire row of buildings when the Smiddy was in full swing judging from the paraphernalia at the front. You may also notice that both the Shooing Shed and Dwelling house originally had thatched roofs. The white house you can see just to the right of the picture is Smiddy Cottage where my sister-in-law now lives.

The family gathering for the birthday lunch was really most enjoyable and that, coupled with some fabulous walks in the company of my sister-in-law, Cara and Bruce, made for a great week end.