Spindle Whorls

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Pictured here are stone spindle whorls from Cairnconan in Angus and Freswick Sand in Caithness, a bone example from Muirfield in East Lothian and a ceramic example from Coalhill in Ayrshire. They were used between 200 BC and 200 AD.

The spindle whorls are of different shapes, but all have central perforations where the wool was tied on. The top example, from Freswick Sands has seven small cup-like depressions on one face and six on the other.

Spindle whorls were hung at the end of wool, to act as a flywheel as it was spun into yarn using a spindle. They occur in a range of shapes and materials, as illustrated here. Spindle whorls are often the only evidence preserved of spinning.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-040-677-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.HR 882
• Date: Between 200 BC and 200 AD
  
• Material: Bone; domical; perforated
  Clay, baked
  Sandstone
  Sandstone, grey; rough; seven cups on one face and six on the other
  Spindle whorl
  Spindle whorl
  Spindle whorl
  Spindle whorl
  
• Dimensions: 1.38" D
  1.38" D
  1.50" D x 0.94" thick
  
• What: Spindle whorl
  Spindle whorl
  Spindle whorl
  Spindle whorl
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Angus, Cairnconan
  Scotland, Ayrshire, Dalry, Coalhill
  Scotland, Caithness, Freswick Sands (Broch)
  Scotland, East Lothian, Gullane, Muirfield
  
• Event:
• Description: Spindle whorl of rough grey sandstone with seven cups on one face and six on the other, from Freswick Sands
  Stone spindle whorl from Cairnconan, Angus
  Ceramic spindle whorl from Coalhill, Ayrshire
  Bone spindle whorl from Muirfield, East Lothian
  
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