A glimpse into the past and our future
Friday May 22nd, 2026 will be a date many of us in the heritage business will proudly remember for a long time.
It was the date of the official re-opening of the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay in Highland Perthshire. The ceremony was a fitting tribute to the passion, determination and resilience of Director Mike Benson and his fantastic team of specialists, volunteers and community apprentices.
Just five years ago, on the opposite bank of the loch, it looked as though their hopes and dreams had literally gone up in smoke when the first replica Iron Age loch dwelling was consumed by fire.
But that didn’t stop Mike and his team. The community rallied round, a new and better site was found near Kenmore, and on Friday May 22nd, shortly after 3pm, their local MSP and newly re-elected First Minister John Swinney officially re-opened the site.
“This will be us”
The Broch Project and the Crannog Centre have had lots of communication given how similar in aims our two charities are. Mike and his specialists have been a great source of advice to us over the years and Broch Directors Iain, Dawn and myself were honoured to accept an invitation to the official re-opening ceremony.
As we entered the replica Iron Age village and saw all the visitors, the volunteers and the traditional skills re-enactors we looked at each other and had the same thought at the same time: “One day before too long, this will be us. The Broch Project’s dream will be realised in Caithness and visitors will flock to see it.”
It was further proof, not that we needed it, of the powerful attraction of heritage tourism. Lots of people love to be able to get a glimpse of what life was like in the past. The Crannog Centre is doing that now and, in time, we’ll give locals and visitors in Caithness their opportunity on our Broch site.
“Take the gradual approach”
Shortly after his arrival and before the official re-opening ceremony, we were lucky enough to grab a few minutes to chat with the First Minister. We briefly updated him on our progress and he offered us some advice. As the constituency MSP John Swinney’s followed the ups and downs of the Crannog Centre for years. Without hesitation he advised us: “Take the gradual approach with your Broch site. That’s what Mike did and it worked.” Then, after posing for photos and wishing us well, he was off to make the official speech.
Lots of specialist advice
Before the official proceedings took place, Iain, Dawn and I had a chance to meet some of the specialists who worked on the Crannog and replica Iron Age village.
We heard from Craig and Lewis from Narro Associates, structural engineers about how they got the Crannog approved. How did they deal with building control officers who, quite understandably, had no experience of Iron Age construction. This is an issue we’ll face when we come to build our Broch.
It was really useful to hear from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) about their traditional skills development programme. HES funded some of the craft positions at the Crannog Centre. Their “Engine Shed” team also have a focus on preserving and training traditional skills.
Then we got to chat with the various different crafts people, from the timber framers, thatchers, blacksmiths and museum staff. They all had a special passion for their trade and a strong attachment to the Crannog through their efforts to see this project to completion. We could see the pride in their faces on realising the milestone they had reached.
Then there were all the different re-enactors. From the nuances of brewing ancient mead, making Iron Age bread with ancient grains to smelting bronze and forging iron, they seemed to know all the old techniques. In fact Iain took such an interest in Iron Age brewing it took Dawn and I some time to drag him away.
Proving the doubters wrong
The three of us found the day immensely inspiring. The Crannog team’s historical knowledge is self-evident. But they have done so much more. They have created an opportunity for people to experience history. To see it, feel it, smell it, taste it. That’s so much more memorable than just looking at an artefact in a glass box. We intend to do the same with the Caithness Broch Project.
Time and again when we talked to the Crannog team they said many people had told them, “You’ll never do this”. At the Broch Project we’ve heard the same thing repeatedly.
As the First Minister lifted the rope and the centre officially re-opened, Mike and the Crannog team had well and truly proved the doubters wrong. And you know what, so will we.
How to donate
If you’d like to help us prove the doubters wrong please donate via this link:
https://www.thebrochproject.co.uk/support
If you’d like to help the Scottish Crannog Centre with their future plans, please donate via this link: