Kiln interior, view of platform and hearth. Digital image of D 23983

Description Kiln interior, view of platform and hearth. Digital image of D 23983

Date 16/3/1998

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number SC 742339

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of D 23983

Scope and Content Platform and hearth at base of kiln, Sibster Mains Farm, Highland Sibster Mains Farm has a large steading arranged around a square courtyard, dating variously from the late 18th century to the mid- to late 19th century and into the 20th century. It is thus a fine example of agricultural development through three centuries and is particularly notable for its 18th-century kiln barn. This shows the platform and hearth at the base of the kiln within the wall to the kiln-barn. It is likely that peat was used to fuel the fire, but later the chaff (husks) from winnowed corn came to be the standard fuel so that the flavour of peat smoke became less evident. The Romans undoubtedly used kilns, and King David's legislation in the 12th century showed that they were then widespread in Lowland Scotland. It is possible that the Vikings learned something about corn drying from Scotland, as they borrowed the Gaelic word 'sorn' for the flue or platform of the kiln. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/742339

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap