Davidson Legacy Cottage, community owned since 2025, is the restored home of William C Davidson, father of the three founding sons of Harley Davidson with William Harley. Step into the heart of motorcycling history at the ancestral Scottish home of the Davidson family, whose members, after emigrating to the USA in 1857, co-founded the iconic Harley-Davidson Motor-Cycle Company. We are a registered
Scottish charity (SCIO - Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, charity registration number SC052174) and, since March 2025, proudly own and run this historic site alongside our dedicated community. Our journey to secure the cottage's future was made possible with invaluable assistance from the UK Government Community Ownership Fund, the unwavering support of Roadskin, the generosity of Harley-Davidson, and the collective efforts of countless individuals/groups who rallied behind our campaign. This collaborative success means the Davidson Legacy Cottage is now a community-owned treasure, preserved for generations to come. We've also been able to employ a dedicated project worker to run and maintain this special place. The cottage, located in Netherton, a small town in Angus, northeast Scotland, offers a unique glimpse into the past. It was here that Sandy and Margaret Davidson lived with their children, including young William C. Davidson, who left Scotland around age 11 and later became the father to three of the Harley-Davidson founders and the builder of the famous "SHED." We invite you to make the pilgrimage, just as thousands of visitors from around the world have done, to sign our visitors' book and connect with the courageous spirit of the Davidson family. Their journey in pursuit of the American dream is a remarkable story of success. The cottage was lovingly restored in 2012 by Mike, Maggie and Keith to reflect life in 1857 when the family resided here. The restorers of the cottage have now retired and we now have the role of keeping the legacy going. Volunteers are the absolute key to everything we do – from site maintenance to sharing stories and increasing awareness of this significant Scottish heritage. We warmly welcome new volunteers to our team, whether for regular involvement or occasional support. Visit us: Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am - 4 pm, or by special arrangement. It's more than just a historical site; it's about people, perseverance, and an amazing legacy.
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Your support is crucial! An easy way to contribute is by purchasing high-quality motorcycle gear from the cottage or at Roadskin UK – they donate 10% of all purchases to the Davidson Legacy Cottage when you use the code TDL in the notes section at checkout.
