Laufus Turf House pt 2

Having gone out the back, gabled part of the turf house, I came upon the church. The church was built in 1853.

This was a view back the way I had come. There were some paths off to the side. Maybe I was supposed to follow them. Since they unleashed us in the first room in favor of another group I just went when and where I pleased. This brought me some unusual views.

For instance, the view from the area above the entrance. And, of course, the way back down.

This arch sat at the end of the walkway leading from the church. Notice that the fence consisted of nothing but a low rock wall, easily stepped over. I was good. I stayed on the walkway this time.

From there a broad road ran along what might be considered the front of the turf house. Until I’d already come up the center of it, hit the church, and headed back I hadn’t realized these were part of the structure.

These are like town houses with connected walls but separate chambers. Or maybe more like a rudimentary storage unit. Most of the chambers held tack or equipment and were generally dirt floors with little light.

Rudimentary equipment above. A common threshold below.

Many of the items in the property date from the twentieth century.

I forgot to include a few pictures last week. Inside the main part of the building were rooms with glassed cases displaying clothing dating back to when the turf house was a rich man’s home. They said the ropes tied to the beds were to demonstrate how they were made, not how they were used.

As well as being a popular tourist stop, the property also functions as a traditional farm. Just to the right of where I stood to take the picture below was a gift shop with reasonably priced hats. Unluckily I was moving too slow to buy one. The bus almost left without me.