VISITORS to a Black Isle attraction opening again this weekend are being offered the chance not only to find out how an ordinary man changed the world but also a glimpse into the fascinating world of Victorian "pocket porridge".

The insight at the National Trust for Scotland’s Hugh Miller's Birthplace Cottage and Museum in Cromarty comes hot on the heels of National Porridge Day last week.

The iconic thatched fisherfolk cottage which started life as a house built by the pirate John Feddes boasts a remarkable porridge drawer.

Dr Alix Powers-Jones, property manager at the venue, explained: "In households with a meal cist - a piece of furniture strongly reminiscent of a writing bureau with a sloping lid and capacity for storing flour and oats away from contamination by pests and vermin – the two lower drawers had very special purposes. The very lowest drawer would be lined with tin or cloth: the Porridge Drawer.

"‘A large pan of very thick porridge made over the fire, ordinarily with water - if you were lucky with milk and seasoned with salt - would be poured into the drawer in the evening. After cooling overnight, by morning the set porridge resembled in texture cold blancmange and it could be sliced, wrapped and pocketed as a 'piece' (lunch) for those working distant from home and hearth.

"A drawer full of cold porridge might sustain for a whole week. And the other drawer?Cooling porridge gives off heat and, in the drawer, above, newborn babies would be laid down to sleep, basking in oaty warmth."

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The birthplace museum is opening up on Saturday, July 3, opening weekends (1pm – 5pm) during July and August.

For more info on opening times and planning your visit to Hugh Miller’s Birthplace go to:

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/hugh-millers-birthplace

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