Perth & Kinross Council

As a part of the Rural Wisdom project Outside the Box are exploring ways to make rural areas work better for older people. They’re going to be holding a series of events across Scotland for anyone who is interested in this work to come together, to share thoughts, to hear from others and to build the network around the country.

The first of these events will be happening on Tuesday 9 May in Perth.

The day will include:

Artefact of the Month - Arrow Head

The culmination of our season is the Celtic Samhain Festival on the eve of 31st October. Samhain is the predecessor to Halloween and marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Activities include storytelling around the fire in the Crannog, sacrificial wicker ram burn, apple-ducking, soup and many surprises, all lit by flaming torches. Tickets sell out each year so please book early for this hugely popular event.

Artefact of the Month - Bracket Fungi, Nuts

In Scotland, autumn is a wonderful time for harvesting fruit and nuts and the ancient loch-dwellers would have exploited and preserved nature’s bounty to help see them through the winter months when provisions were scarce. Our Fun with Fruit & Fungi day celebrates all that is fabulous about this exceptional time of year with lots of tasters of autumnal dishes and apple-pressing to make delicious fresh juice.

Artefacts of the Month - Lathe off-cut; Tankard Stave

We take wood for granted here in Big Tree Country but it is and was a precious commodity which our Iron Age Ancestors exploited. Join us for wood-turning and carving demonstrations by experts from throughout the country and pick up a bargain or two as you watch! Help our ‘Visitors Vote’ to award the new Crannog Turnery Prize for the best pole-lathe-turned object.

Artefact of the Month - Foot Plough

Try ancient ploughing, sow seeds, learn about prehistoric farming, make herb garlands and bake your own harvest rolls in our Iron Age clay ovens. Activities will also include making floral crowns, threshing and grinding grain, and trying out ancient-style hand ploughs.

This prehistoric extravaganza represents our Signature Event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Scottish Crannog Centre with expert demonstrations of metalworking, prehistoric pot-making, textiles, basketry, cooking, beads, jewellery, adornment, dug-out canoes trips and much more. Our celebratory Artisan Village will also feature a Market Place where you can purchase many ‘one-of-a-kind’ hand-made craft items.

Artefact of the month - Cooking Pot

The Iron Age Gourmet day is one of our most popular events of the year. Totally unique and inspired by discoveries at the 2,500 year old Oakbank Crannog, you won’t find a menu like this anywhere else. Come sample tasty, nutritious and healthy foods prepared and cooked as our ancient ancestors did.

No fast food here; we respect the ancients and enter into the spirit of slow cooking over campfires, in clay ovens and experimental turf-covered pits to produce tender meats, tasty fish and aromatic and herb-filled breads.

Artefact of the month - Wooden Whistle

Celebrate Midsummer listening to traditional Scottish music while sitting around a log fire in the magical and evocative atmosphere of the Crannog Roundhouse.

Blend the most unique and intimate venue with the mystical Summer Solstice and you have an event not to be missed. Fill your senses with the music; the crackling fire; the gentle sound of the water and the atmosphere and ambience of the Crannog.

Ancient crafts and technologies are showcased at this extraordinary day featuring bronze-casting, wood-turning and all the amazing skills learned and implemented by our ancient ancestors. Hands-on, enlightening and exciting – let our experts guide you through the Iron Age and all that makes it so special.