History

Harley Davidson was started by three Davidson brothers and William Harley. The brothers father lived in this cottage until the age of 11 years and the family’s middle son, William C. Davidson helped create an American icon when he built the very first Harley-Davidson workshop for his own sons in 1903. Affectionately referred to as “The Shed”, the Motor Company’s foundations were laid in the 10- by 14-foot workshop. The restoration of the Davidson cottage completed by the current owners in 2012, led to generations of fans and family members making the pilgrimage to the cottage.

This is no ordinary cottage, it has been restored to reflect how the Davidson family would have lived in 1857 before they left for a new life in America. It has been set up as a loving tribute to the pioneering family who bravely left the life they knew behind in Scotland to enable opportunities for their children and grandchildren to prosper in the new land of America.

The Davidson Legacy Cottage is a real step back in time to a period of no running water, electricity, meaning no inside toilet or fully fitted kitchen. As a charity, we wish to not only save the cottage but to utilise its heritage and setting to support the community through the advancement of education, with informal activities for all age groups.

As a community development opportunity, the charity would like to make the 'Davidson Legacy Cottage' available to the wider community, for long-term for tourism and leisure purposes. We are keen to support the advancement of the arts, culture, preserve 'Heritage' and promote the historical site for generations to come.

The organisation intends to promote and increase visitors to the cottage both nationally and internationally by working with Local and National authorities and various tourism bodies such as Visit Scotland, Visit Angus, Angus Tourism Cooperative, SCOTO and many more.

With this in mind, we aim to increase the footfall of tourism in Angus and see the wider community benefit from visitors to the cottage who in turn, can enjoy what the local Angus community has to offer.

We are also keen to develop community and cultural partnerships. We are collaborating with local youth service providers to develop a range of activities and events to promote and encourage young people and children to learn and be inspired by the story of the Davidsons, the social history, and the restoration project.

The cottage offers an experience the step back in time and learn from how the Davidsons lived without modern conveniences and technology. Spending time here can give respite to those wishing to get away from daily pressures modern life brings.

The monthly meets give opportunity for people to meet, socialise and just enjoy a ride out to be welcomed with a cuppa and homemade cookies.

The grounds also offer a separate annex that is fitted with modern conveniences for those who wish to use them, such as toilets, showers, and modern open plan kitchen and living room facilities.

The Charity are working on expanding the experience of tours and invite higher education facilities to benefit from using the site as a backdrop for photography, textile students for period clothing, History students etc.

Tours offered educate visitors on not only the significant historical link of the previous occupants of the cottage, but of the typical lifestyle of the occupants and their social standing when the Davidson's lived in there.

The charity is working towards making the grounds better accessible for all and for those who do visit they will benefit from the disabled friendly Amenity block.

The cottage and grounds are available for hire to groups, clubs, organisations etc. for leisure, educational reasons, or meetings.

By encouraging new volunteers, we hope local groups will get involved with the running of the cottage, maintenance, and development of the grounds. The cottage and the community would benefit from the creation of a self-sufficient garden patch, in line with historical time, with food produced to be donated to the local community.

Currently the Davidson Legacy Preservation group are the working steering group, volunteering their time supporting our charities aims. Volunteers support raising awareness of the campaign, open meets, and special events to help raise funds to purchase & preserve 'Heritage' and promote the historical site.

The full amount needed is £500,000.00. The funds raised would not only purchase and secure the cottage but help to preserve its future and its accessibility by employing a project worker to oversee the promotion, growth & development of the Cottage and all brand related items.

ROADSKIN – Have been a major supporter to our campaign. They have given time and resources to help develop and print our flyers along with offering 10% of all sales from their website customers who use the code TDL in the notes section at checkout.

Roadskin sell high quality motorcycle jeans - protective, abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant and armoured motorbike jeans, Fully lined and single layer jeans, T-shirts and more.

We are a fully formed and registered SCIO in Scotland, and you can donate easily via PayPal