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Shetland Islands - Cutting a peat bank
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Shetland Islands - Cutting a peat bank
A Crofter cutting a peat bank on The Shetland Islands, Scotland. Date: circa 1920s
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Media ID 7197235
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10546889
Bank Croft Crofter Cuts Cutting Digging Digs Fuel Hard Isles Labour Labouring Peat Scot Scot Land Shetland Turf Turves
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: A Traditional Way of Life: A Crofter Cutting Peat on The Shetland Islands, Scotland 2.. This evocative photograph captures the raw beauty and resilience of life on The Shetland Islands in the 1920s. The image portrays a crofter, a local farmer, deeply engrossed in the laborious task of cutting peat from a bank. The Shetland Islands, located in the North Sea off the northeastern coast of Scotland, have a rich history of peat cutting, which has been an essential source of fuel for the islanders for centuries. The crofter, dressed in traditional attire, is shown cutting the peat into manageable sizes using a simple tool, likely a spade or a peat hook. The peat, which is formed from decomposed plant material, is cut from the bank and then left to dry in the sun before being stacked and covered with turf to protect it from the elements. This process is repeated throughout the year, with the peat being used as fuel for cooking and heating during the long, cold winters. The photograph offers a glimpse into the hardworking and self-sufficient lifestyle of the Shetlanders, who have long relied on the land and the sea for their livelihoods. The image also underscores the importance of community and cooperation, as the cutting and sharing of peat was a communal activity that brought neighbors together. The crofter's determined expression and the rugged terrain in the background serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges and rewards of rural life on the Shetland Islands. This photograph is an invaluable record of a bygone era and a testament to the enduring spirit of the people who call these beautiful and remote islands home. The image invites us to reflect on the importance of tradition, community, and the connection between people and the land.
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