Reconstruction of Iron Age Crannog Nears Completion
A new reconstruction of an Iron Age crannog is scheduled to be unveiled five years after a fire destroyed the previous structure.
The Scottish Crannog Centre, located on the banks of Loch Tay, suffered a devastating fire in June 2021 that destroyed the original crannog.
Rebuilding efforts for the centre commenced in May 2023, with construction of the £700,000 crannog—a type of ancient artificial island—beginning in October of the same year.
A ceremony to mark the completion of the new building will be held with First Minister John Swinney, and the crannog is expected to open to the public in June.
Singer Barbara Dickson is also scheduled to perform at the unveiling ceremony.
Details of the Original and Rebuilt Structures
The recreated Iron Age roundhouse, which was the centrepiece of the original crannog, was destroyed in just six minutes during the 2021 fire.
The rebuilt Crannog Centre, which cost £5 million excluding the crannog itself, reopened in April 2024 at a new site that is twelve times larger than the previous location.
Construction and Craftsmanship
The new crannog has been constructed by a team of specialist craftspeople and apprentices. Typically, eight individuals work in two teams simultaneously, with volunteers collaborating alongside professionals.
Traditional skills such as roundwood timber framing and thatching were employed to complete the structure.
The centre has stated that the crannog is "very much in keeping" with the type of dwelling inhabited by prehistoric ancestors, including the use of authentic materials.
Approximately 300 European Larch trees were sourced from various local and Scottish woodland suppliers for the construction.
The roundhouse, which served as the living quarters, stands about 8 meters (26 feet) high and is accessed via a 50-meter (164 feet) bridge.
Community Significance and Educational Role
Mike Benson, director of the Scottish Crannog Centre, commented on the reopening:
"The opening of the new crannog signifies that we have now completely recovered from the fire.
Since the blaze we've been a bit like a Van Gogh museum without any Van Gogh."
He emphasized that the crannog is more than just a building, describing it as "part of our community."
"Many consider our centre a home and a place of sanctuary.
People come to learn about the past and find out what role it can play in our future.
Aside from the crannog itself, we have a number of thatched buildings in which our team demonstrates traditional skills, such as weaving, blacksmithery and woodworking, to our visitors, keeping these crafts alive and introducing them to new generations."
