Our Blackhouse is a great way to teach some Scottish History during playtime and works well with many of our wooden figures such as our Creel Lady.  Inspired by the Lewis Blackhouses which were made of 2 drystone walls infilled with earth for insulation and a thatched roof over a timber frame with no chimney so they filled up smoke from the central peat fire.  The one big space was often broken up into 3 sections with livestock at the end near the door, a central living area around the fire and a more private sleeping area to the other side.  They featured no or tiny windows to protect against the elements.
Our Blackhouse features ‘stone’ walls (some stones with green added for moss or similar) with small cut out windows and doorway and a brown ‘thatch’ roof with the  stones that hold the ropes in place that help hold the thatch down. The rear of the piece is unpainted.
The Blackhouse measures approximately 15cm high by 32.5cm long and 2.8cm thick.  Like all our toy pieces it has been cut out before further hand shaping and detailing, this piece features carved details for the stone work and thatch.  Each piece is then hand painted in various stages making each creation a little unique in shape and look and so will differ from the photographs shown. Minor manufacturing marks, carving misshaping and paint errors are not seen as flaws but as enhancing the individual nature of each piece, please bear in mind you are purchasing a handcrafted product.
 
Items can be cleaned using a slightly damp lint free cloth and would benefit from future occasional (like all wooden products) refinishing with a clear oil, wax or other suitable child safe EN71-3 certified finish to extend its protection. 
 
Our products have been tested and made to be UKCA conformant as suitable for children aged 3 years and over that are no longer mouthing their toys due to the risk of small parts forming if the product breaks and our base wood hasn’t been tested for heavy metals.  All stains, paints and sealers used are EN71-3 certified as child safe.
 
Warning: small parts choking hazard not suitable for those under 36months!