Lochlea Crannog

In the year 1777, William Burns, the father of the poet Robert Burns, took up the tenancy of the farm at Lochlea, two miles outside the Ayrshire village of Tarbolton. Here he was faced with the prospect of attempting to transform 130 acres of treeless, rain soaked moorland 400 feet above sea level in to fertile agricultural land. The strain of the effort which he was required to exert in pursuing this objective, hastened his death. Around 20 of Lochlea's 130 acres was occupied by standing water. This took the form of a small loch. It was unremarkable, although during dry periods in the summer when the water level dropped, a small island would emerge some distance from the shore.

Map

Related objects

2 Fmedia2 F36122 F759
Saw Blade
This iron saw was recovered from the Lochlea Crannog site. It is very delicate and is now in three p
2 Fmedia2 F35852 F737
Fibula
This is one of three Romano-British fibulae excavated at Lochlea Crannog. These pins were used to fa
2 Fmedia2 F35972 F742
Wood Carving Cast, Lochlea
This is a cast of a carving found on a piece of ash wood in Lochlea Crannog. The piece of wood had c
2 Fmedia2 F35942 F741
Wood Carving Cast
This is a cast of a carving found on a piece of ash wood in Lochlee Crannog. The piece of wood had c
2 Fmedia2 F36152 F761
Bridle Bit, Lochlea Crannog
Bronze items such as this bridle bit not only show us that the inhabitants of the crannog at Lochlea
2 Fmedia2 F36092 F758
Horse Teeth, Lochlea Crannog
Animal teeth recovered from archaeological sites give a clear indication of the types of livestock k
2 Fmedia2 F36062 F757
Teeth, Lochlea
Animal teeth give a clear indication of what animals the original inhabitants of the site kept as li
2 Fmedia2 F36272 F10510
Piece of Socketed Wood
It is not known what the holes cut into this piece of wood were for, perhaps some sort of basket or
2 Fmedia2 F36182 F773
Hazelnuts, Lochlea Crannog
One feature that regularly litters the site of crannogs are mounds of food scraps such as bones and
2 Fmedia2 F36032 F756
Spoon, Lochlea Crannog
A hole has worn through in the centre of this tiny spoon.
2 Fmedia2 F35882 F739
Logboat, Lochlea Crannog
This is what remains of a fairly substantial dug out canoe which had been used by the residents of L
2 Fmedia2 F36002 F755
Weaving Comb, Lochlea Crannog
Weaving combs served the same function as the beater on a hand loom. They were used to consolidate t
2 Fmedia2 F36272 F10510
Piece of Socketed Wood
It is not known what the holes cut into this piece of wood were for, perhaps some sort of basket or
2 Fmedia2 F36212 F841
Knife or Dagger-Shaped Spatula
The purpose of this item is not known, it is shaped like a knife but the edges have not been sharpen
2 Fmedia2 F36152 F761
Bridle Bit, Lochlea Crannog
Bronze items such as this bridle bit not only show us that the inhabitants of the crannog at Lochlea
2 Fmedia2 F36182 F773
Hazelnuts, Lochlea Crannog
One feature that regularly litters the site of crannogs are mounds of food scraps such as bones and
2 Fmedia2 F36122 F759
Saw Blade
This iron saw was recovered from the Lochlea Crannog site. It is very delicate and is now in three p
2 Fmedia2 F36092 F758
Horse Teeth, Lochlea Crannog
Animal teeth recovered from archaeological sites give a clear indication of the types of livestock k
2 Fmedia2 F36062 F757
Teeth, Lochlea
Animal teeth give a clear indication of what animals the original inhabitants of the site kept as li
2 Fmedia2 F36032 F756
Spoon, Lochlea Crannog
A hole has worn through in the centre of this tiny spoon.
2 Fmedia2 F36002 F755
Weaving Comb, Lochlea Crannog
Weaving combs served the same function as the beater on a hand loom. They were used to consolidate t
2 Fmedia2 F35972 F742
Wood Carving Cast, Lochlea
This is a cast of a carving found on a piece of ash wood in Lochlea Crannog. The piece of wood had c
2 Fmedia2 F35942 F741
Wood Carving Cast
This is a cast of a carving found on a piece of ash wood in Lochlee Crannog. The piece of wood had c
2 Fmedia2 F35882 F739
Logboat, Lochlea Crannog
This is what remains of a fairly substantial dug out canoe which had been used by the residents of L
2 Fmedia2 F35912 F740
Meat Hook
The prongs of this fork are curved and still quite sharp . This fairly elaborate piece of metalwork'
2 Fmedia2 F35852 F737
Fibula
This is one of three Romano-British fibulae excavated at Lochlea Crannog. These pins were used to fa
2 Fmedia2 F35822 F736
Bronze ring pin
The flattened, square shape at the top of this viking era pin has a different design on each side. O
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