Tacksman’s House - Highland Folk Museum

3D Model

The Tacksman’s House is the largest of the thatched buildings in the recreated 1730s township at the Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore. The buildings are made from locally available, natural materials – stone, timber, turf and thatch.

The tacksman was the principal tenant in the township, and so would have lived in the largest residence. He was responsible for negotiating, collecting and paying the rent to the local laird, the landlord.

The township, named Baile Gean (Township of Goodwill) is based on an abandoned site at Easter Raitts, which is around 5 miles north-east of the museum. Raitts was one of the settlements in the area prior to the establishment of the 1790s planned town of Kingussie.

The eight township buildings have been recreated at the museum through archaeological evidence of surviving stone foundations, cobbling and hearths, research, and practical experimentation.