Spindle whorl

A spindle whorl was used to weight the spindle on which wool or other fibres were spun by hand into yarn. This stone example was found at Threave Castle in Kirkcudbrightshire. It dates from the 16th or 17th century.

Spindle whorl from Threave Castle, Kirkcudbrightshire, 16th - 17th century

Until the middle of the nineteenth century by far the greatest part of Scotland's population was occupied in either textile manufacture or in agriculture. Spinning and weaving were, for most people, the two most important tasks outside food production.

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