The crofthouse ... "Before"

Da Kitchen is pretty old and has been home to many crofting families for over 150 years, only being empty for the last 7. The more  Steve & I talk to the locals here on Yell the more we're learning about the previous occupants and the hardworking history of Da Kitchen. An elderly  lady who was born in this croft is still living here in Yell. She's watching with interest the work we're doing bringing it back to life.

This photo shows the room stripped back to the bare walls and earth and shows how it would have been lived in until the early 20th century.


We've been told (on more than one occasion) by our architect and the Scottish Goverments Crofters Commission, that we'd be better off pulling the old croft house down and starting again with a newbuild (ie a modern Norwegian looking log cabin) Just because this is a simple crofters house it seems that some people don't recognise the value in retaining these lovely buildings.



The crofthouse is surrounded by fields that haven't changed for generations , water meadows, pastures full of wild flowers and animals keeping it all in good condition. Why would you want to change anything? We don't want to be the ones to. We'll post a picture of the wild irises when they're out, there are thousands of them .We also have wild orchids too .... just coming out.




Before we took over Da Kitchen croft, we very nearly built a new house in the green field next to it.  We are so glad now chose to save this old cottage and bring it back to life and make it a home again.



Walls are 3 foot thick for warmth , windows are small to minimise draughts, with fireplaces of a good size for cooking and living by.

Although we still have a huge amount of work ahead of us, we're beginning to understand how important it is to take it all one step at a time. This crofthouse - by the time Freds finished with it - will still be standing in another 200 years, thats for sure =)

As my wise brother-in-law told us before we moved up to Shetland (he and Jane having recently finished their own rebuilding) "just keep your eye on the prize" . And in the words of the Beatles, its a long and winding road to get there. But we'll get there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=JrcYPTRcSX0