The Pattison Tractor

Today we visited the National Museum of Rural Life, based at Wester Kittochside Farm, near East Kilbride. I took very few photographs, although the display cases were numerous and interesting, covering a wide variety of aspects of farming and rural life, housed in a modern, purpose-built building. As one would expect, there are many examples of tractors, among them this Patttison Tractor.

Dating from around 1920 and adapted from a Model T Ford car chassis this was made in Middlesex and designed for grounds maintenance and horticultural use. The prototype "used a dead axle to which spiked rear wheels are fitted. A hitch on the rear cross member of the frame allowed rollers or mowers to be attached while a detachable butt allowed carrying capacity for tools, turf etc.."

This example was bought new for the Dundas Estate near South Queensferry and used to maintain the castle lawns up until the late 1940's and remained in an outbuilding until 2006, when the current owner donated it to the Museum.

After an excellent lunch in the Sheilings cafè we toured the museum then walked up to the farm, where piglets and calves nestled into fresh straw. I do feel for the calves, who are removed from their mothers at one day old, 'quickly learning how to drink from a bucket' as though this were a skill and not an accomplishment essential to their survival. 

The extra is of an unusual loft ladder in the stable - Mr Flum pointed out that his size ten feet would probably not fit the openings.

Although I found the museum of great interest I was, once again, distracted by the noise from video screens playing to nobody but interrupting concentration on unrelated artefacts. Also, though we were unsurprised to find visits from local school children, found their excited voices echoed throughout the building. 

Small children having a tantrum I can understand and sympathise; on the other hand I heard many a mother and grandparent describing exhibits and scenes to their little ones in a most engaging way. The most charming was in the old C18 farmhouse as we reached the top of the stairs, to be met by a small boy who excitedly us that 'there's a pussy cat on the bed, come and see!' -  of course we did and there, on the quilted counterpane, was a beautiful black cat who allowed each of us to stroke it. His mother told us that they have two dogs at home but no cat. The little boy greeted others in the same way, even the steward who was coming up the stairs to tell us all that the cat was not allowed up there! I nearly told him that that was the best part of the museum, but that was not quite true!