The crofthouse, with its thick walls and thatched roof, was a surprisingly snug dwelling, warm in winter and cool in summer. Once inside and with a good peat fire going, the worst of winter storms were scarcely felt. Here in the but end (the living room), the family worked, cooked, ate and entertained their friends and neighbours. During winter, farming and fishing equipment was made or repaired; harnesses, kishies and meshies, simmonds for thatching, fishing lines, buoys, nets, clothing, knitwear, yarn and so on.

Everyone took part in what was being done. Stories were told, local gossip discussed, guddicks, were solved and the traditional knowledge of generations was passed to the young folk.

Neighbours dropped in and tales were told of their voyaging in the far corners of the world. The fiddle was the chief musical instrument of the Shetlanders; most men could play and many women also. A good fiddler was always welcome at any fireside.

The parents, grandparents and youngest children usually slept ben. Box beds gave privacy and most ben ends would have had more than one. The older children usually slept but; the boys up on the loft and the girls in another box bed. Older children often slept in the barn.