Slap, Song, and Stink: Stepping into Scottish Wool Waulking
Picture this: it's a cool, crisp day in the Scottish Highlands, a long wooden table, heavy with piles of raw wool, is situated in the center of a large, open barn. Women of all ages, chatting and laughing in Gaelic, are sat around the table with their sleeves rolled up past their elbows. The air is filled with the sharp tang of ammonia, a smell that would make our modern noses wrinkle in disgust—but in 1700s Scotland, it was perfectly normal. Around the table, the women clap their hands, stamp their feet, and sing in unison, keeping rhythm with the steady slap of wool. Welcome to the world of wool waulking—a tradition of community, labor, music, and yes… urine.
A Tradition Rooted in Scottish Heritage
Wool waulking was essential in preparing woven fabrics for clothing, blankets, and other textiles. The wool was heavy and often very large, but waulking the wool was never just “work”—it was a social celebration. Women gathered around the table, chatting, telling stories, and singing songs that traveled through generations. Some were playful; others solemn, carrying the weight of stories, wars, love, and lore.
The songs did more than entertain. They kept the rhythm, coordinated the repetitive movements, and even carried touches of superstition—some songs were thought to protect the wool, while others simply made the hours fly by with laughter and legend.
The Secret Ingredient: Pish!
Here’s where things get…strange: the wool wasn’t washed with soap and water. Instead, it was soaked in stale urine. The ammonia in the urine acted as a natural detergent, breaking down grease and softening fibers. It sounds gross, but in a time when soap was expensive or scarce, this was brilliant, resourceful, and utterly normal. In case you're wondering, the urine could be sourced from cows, pigs, or even the women themselves!
The Dance of Wool and Song
Waulking was as much about movement as it was about cleaning:
Soak: The fleece was soaked in urine, which was usually warm and slightly diluted.
Spread and Beat: On a sturdy wooden table, wool was pounded, stretched, and kneaded. Every slap of the wool echoed like a drumbeat through the air
Sing Along: Waulking songs carried rhythm and energy. Women sang, hummed, and sometimes improvised, each voice weaving into the communal chorus.
Repeat: Hours passed with steady hands, strong voices, and shared laughter until the wool emerged soft, dense, and ready for the loom.
Despite the smell, this work has long been described as joyful. The songs, laughter, and rhythm transformed labor into a kind of communal dance.
Why Waulking Still Enchants Today
Though industrial methods and modern detergents have replaced traditional waulking, the practice remains a beloved symbol of Scottish heritage. Festivals, workshops, and cultural events celebrate the songs, the stories, and the fascinating, sometimes shocking, methods of the past.
Wool waulking reminds me that craft is about more than the end product. It’s about connection, rhythm, creativity, and embracing the quirks of history.
If your curious: Listen and watch 2 minutes of wool waulking HERE
