Torthwald Parish Church and Graveyard 1
CHURCHES and GRAVEYARDS in Dumfries and Galloway
DUMFRIESSHIRE -- Torthorwald Cruck Cottage
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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION These two stone plaques, inserted in this garden retaining wall were found in the garden when the modern house was built. They commemorate Rev John G. Paton, Missionary to the New Hebrides who spent his childhood in Torthorwald.
The stones marked the location of the Cruck cottage where James Paton and his wife Janet Jardine Rogerson, brought up their large family
of 5 boys and 4 girls. A memorial stone to the whole family can be viewed below.

Today only one such cottage remains in the village, it is maintained by a local Trust and is open to the public by arrangement.
For details see:
www.cruckcottage.co.uk
 Cruck Cottage in Torthorwald village
Cruck Cottage
Crucks, or naturally curved timbers, have been extensively used since the Middle Ages to support the roofs of buildings. The cruck cottage at Torthorwald, which was still in use in the 19th century, is the only
remaining example of this type of building remaining in Dumfriesshire.
This building comprises three cruck frames of curved oak timbers in their natural state, with just the bark and branches removed. The method of construction probably involved shaping and joining the various parts lying flat on the ground before raising them in their final position. Once erected the assembled crucks would be pegged, one to the next, by a ridge pole and further poles to support the roof. Once the main support structure was in place a layer of heather and turf provided a base for the final layer of straw thatch used to complete the roof.
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