Baile Nan Gàidheal | Highland Village, Iona

Children make candles. Up until the mid to late 1800s, homes were lighted mainly by candles. Made from tallow, (beef fat), the household would need many candles to keep the long winter nights lit. Often children would make the candles for their mother. Using a wick tied to a stick, a candle is made by dipping the wick into hot wax, bringing it up to cool and dipping again till the candle is large enough for use.

Topic: Sharing traditional ways of life

Date: Summer 1996

Reference:  Highland Village Museum P1998.01.983

For more information, please contact Baile Nan Gàidheal | Highland Village.