Blackford Farm, Dated 10th May 1856

Category

Library Item

Item no

3793

Title

Blackford Farm, dated 10th May 1856

Description

A barn on Blackford Farm in Edinburgh has a thatched roof and is surrounded by trees. A tree in front of the building has a harvest cart (lang cairt) on the left and the remains of a horse-mill on the right. Two men are seated on the ground below the mill.

Artist / maker

Keith, Thomas

Date

1856

Size

25.2 x 27.7 cm

Type

Paper negative

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The barn possible has dwelling places for farm servants on the first floor is the building has chimneys. The big door on the left gives access to the main storage space for sheaves. The thatch is either wheat-straw or reed. The big door on the right gives access to the grainary or grain loft, with the remains of a loading bank in front for loading sacks of grain onto carts. The wooden framework in front is the remains of a horse-mill, a gin that drove a thrashing or threshing mill inside the barn via a shaft through the wall. The wall that once surrounded the mill has just been demolished leaving fresh remains of rouble at the foot of the tree. The men beneath the remains of the horse-mill frame may be masons, maybe clearing the mortar off the dressed stones to reclaim them for further use. The cart on the left is a lang cairt (Mid & East Lothian) or harvest cart, the framework making it possible to build sheaves higher when being transported. The photographer is standing on what was the cornyaird where the stacks were built (from sheaves) after the harvest, awaiting thrashing or threshing, ie separating the grain from the straw.

Blackford Farmhouse is reached through Glenisla Gardens in Blackford, Edinburgh. The house is now divided into seperate flats.

Blackford is a residential area in the south of Edinburgh. It is a popular area for outdoor recreation. Blackford Hill provides spectacular views over the city and beyond. The Hermitage of Braid, immediately behind Blackford Hill, also offers a peaceful and picturesque location for walking. Blackford Avenue forms part of an historic route from the city to Jordan Burn which runs through Blackford on its way to join the Braid Burn close to Cameron Toll

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Related subjects

Agriculture and fisheries > Agricultural and fisheries facilities > Farms

Architecture > Architectural features > Roofs

Places > Edinburgh areas > Blackford

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Carts and wagons

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