Tales of Things

Sheeps Wool Found On A Fence

I was walking near Loch Lomond just the other day and jumped a fence when i came to a dead end in a forest. On the other side of the fence was a sheep field. Some sheep must have rubbed up against the fence as i was able to collect a handfull of their fur that was stuck there. My heritage is from Scotland, but I am American. After handling the natural source of the fibers in the open air, and comparing them to the use and end products and stories within the museum, i feel greatly inspired and appreciate this history of making tweeds.

Created by: ScienceFestival on 16 Apr 2011, 2:10 p.m.

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Flat feet

Apparently people from St Kilda had wider feet as they were used to walking on the hills everyday.

Created by: NationalMuseumsScotland on 31 Oct 2011, 3:26 p.m.

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Trip to St Kilda in 1988

Mike sailed through the Sound of Harris to St Kilda as part of an art project (Go 90) with the last surviving St Kildan.

Created by: NationalMuseumsScotland on 31 Oct 2011, 3:32 p.m.

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Leaving St Kilda

Many factors influenced the locals leaving St Kilda. George from RCHAMS explains some of the reasons.

Created by: NationalMuseumsScotland on 31 Oct 2011, 3:38 p.m.

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Farming St Kilda

George Geddes from RCHAMS tells us how the population of St Kilda was decimated in 1727 by a smallpox virus but a group of hunters were saved by being stranded on another one of the islands.

McLeaods of Dunvegan owned the island and it was in their interests to help to repopulate the island as they received rent from the St Kildans.

Created by: NationalMuseumsScotland on 31 Oct 2011, 3:55 p.m.

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St Kilda during WWI

St Kilda was a look out station during the First World War and was attacked in 1917/1918 by a German submarine.

There was a large gun on the island which at one point was found pointing towards the church. This was the only gun on the island, St Kilda was sometimes subject to piracy attacks but locals knew where the hiding places were and used these for protection.

Created by: NationalMuseumsScotland on 31 Oct 2011, 4:17 p.m.

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Sharing responsibilities

St Kildans had an ethic of sharing responsibilities. They all owned one sailing boat, the sail for this made up of patchworks from each family on the island.

Thanks to George Geddes from RCHAMS.

Created by: NationalMuseumsScotland on 31 Oct 2011, 4:33 p.m.

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Communication

First post box on St Kilda was made possible due to the steamers visiting the island around 1900. Tourists could buy postcards from St Kilda and receive their own special stamp.

Thanks to George Geddes from RCHAMS.

Created by: NationalMuseumsScotland on 31 Oct 2011, 4:39 p.m.

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