The cottage shown in this postcard combines a post office with a bookshop and was part of An Clachan, the Highland Village at the Scottish Exhibition in 1911. The bookshop was a temporary branch of Alexander McLaren & Sons, Gaelic and Scottish booksellers, whose main shop was in Argyle Street.
The Highland Village also had a village store where Highland craft products such as tweeds and plaids were sold. Another picturesque building was An Tigh Osda, or Village Inn, where Highland food and non-alcoholic drinks were served by waitresses in Highland dress. Although whisky was not available, an illicit still could be inspected by visitors. The village kirk was strictly non-denominational.
The largest building in the village was Talla mhor a' Chlachain, the village hall, where Gaelic and Scottish entertainments and social evenings were held before audiences of up to 350 people.
Reference: Mitchell Library, Glasgow Collection
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries and Archives
Keywords:
An Tigh Osda, Andrew McLaren & Sons, booksellers, bookshops, Clachan, cottages, exhibitions, Gaelic language, Highland Village, post offices, Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art and Industry, Talla mhor a'Chlachain, thatched roofs, tweeds, village halls, village inns, village stores