The Highland Township Project

Help to build the township!	The Highland Township at Escape Lodge When you stay at Escape Lodge you can help to hand-build traditional Highland thatched houses. Try out centuries-old skills such as dry-stane dykeing and thatching. These thatched houses will be constructed in pre-Clearances style circa1750 but nowadays instead of the smoky fire on the floor we will have a cosy wood-burning stove!	Special Supporter Membership! This unusual and adventurous project is in its infancy. Wherever you live in the world you can join the Highland Township Project and support our Planning Application. Join the Highland Township Project Special Starter Price
Learn about the ancient construction techniques and the history of the buildings Help to build the authentic dry-stane (stone) dyke walls Cut timbers with a traditional cross-cut handsaw Collect bracken or heather for the thatch Learn techniques of thatching Make rope for the roof by using a winder with hemp or reed strands Prepare and plant vegetable and flower gardens Enjoy plenty of time off to relax and explore Meet people and have fun!	Traditional Box Beds at Gearranan Blackhouse Museum on the Isle of Lewis. Each completed cottage will be simply furnished in traditional style using box beds. A service building provides cooking, toilet and shower facilities similar to a campsite. You can see carefully crafted recreations of these buildings right now at the exceptional Highland Village at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum. We are indebted to the museum's Peter Gibbon for all his generous expertise and advice on the construction of the buildings. Archaeological consultant: Cathy Dagg. Peter Gibbon thatching with freshly pulled heather at the Highland Folk Museum recreation of a 1750 township at Newtonmore.	Exclusive Holidays in the Highland Township Holidays in the thatched houses will be sold only to Project members on a long-term share-ownership basis. The aim is to create a township which is occupied all year round by members on holiday who are committed to being part of a low-tech, low-impact `eco-holiday village' and part of the local community. Members can help to plant crops and trees, maintain the thatched buildings, manage woodland or take part in many other nature-focussed activities. Rope made from reeds using a winding tool.
Community Activity These well insulated buildings were built and maintained by community co-operation using natural materials and without the need for specialist tools. They are truly `green' buildings and the occupants lived in balance with the landscape and environment. Traditionally thatching was a community activity and the larger the workforce available the faster the work proceeded.
	The group of thatched stone and turf buildings at Newtonmore blends into its surroundings due to the use of natural materials and soft organic shapes
Township Name Our township of 8 dwellings will be called Allt na h'Inge after the nearby burn (stream) and because there is evidence of buildings close by which may have borne that name.