A few weeks ago, we carried out our annual limewashing of the cottage. As always, there was a great turn-out of local helpers, and the whole job was completed in little more than an hour! The cottage is now looking very smart. A bonus that day was the donation of a lovely tub of flowers, More …

Following a presentation on the Cruck Cottage we gave to Dumfries Rotary Club, 18 of their members paid a visit to the cottage recently. Our Vice Chair, Bill Meadows, and Committee member Willie Clow gave a further talk on the cottage, its construction, and also the noted missionary, John G Paton, who was brought up More …

We welcomed a lovely group of ladies from Mouswald WI last night. We are sure that they enjoyed our presentation, which included a short history of Torthorwald Castle, a description of the village as it was in the 19th century, followed by the history of the Cruck Cottage as far as we know it. We More …

Another great night at our Cruck Christmas evening. A good turn out of our friends, who enjoyed live music, carol singing, fresh baked mince pies, mulled wine and fruit punch. Rounded off with a bumper raffle, with the first prize of a giant Christmas hamper. The picture is part of our decorations, skilfully put to-gether More …

Last Saturday was the annual Torthorwald Scarecrow Day. As always, there was a great selection of entries, with some great ideas. Here is our entry, which gained a lot of votes, and attracted a good number of visitors to the cottage. Well done to the organisers for all their hard work. See photographs of all More …

Over the years, the cobble drive up to the cottage, and the path around it, had become more or less completely covered with weeds. We arranged a clean up to-day (Sunday), and invited anyone who could help to come along. It was no surprise to us that, as always, a large number of our Cruck More …

To mark the re-opening of the cottage following repairs to the fire damage, we celebrated with a short excerpt from the play ‘Torwatletie’ performed by the Guild of Players in the cottage. There was also a barbecue, and what a fantastic day we had! There are so many people to thank – the Guild of More …

We are very pleased and excited to provide details of the re-opening event at the Cruck Cottage on Sunday, 3rd June. Our friends at the Guild of Players have kindly agreed to perform extracts from their latest production, ‘Torwatletie’ which is set in Galloway in the 18th century. Unfortunately, for insurance purposes, we have to More …

Once again, a great turn-out by our Cruck friends to help us with lime-washing the cottage. Many hands certainly make light work, and within two hours the job was done. To round off the morning, we were treated to pan scones, straight off the girdle, by Jean and Frank Wilson. A very productive and satisfying More …

Hope our little friends return to the old pump again this year to hatch their brood! The repairs have started to the Cruck roof – Alex Gibbons the ‘Clay Dabbin’ and ‘Wattle and Daub’ craftsman has started work on the chimney. Our thatcher, Jonathan Botterell, will be here next week to start on the thatch. More …