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The Immeasurable Wilds: Travellers to the Far North of Scotland

The Highland Propensity for Bare Feet.....

Almost every visitor to Scotland remarked, often with alarm, on the fact that throughout the Highlands, women and children often wore no shoes. Here are some images that confirm this tendency. To see all the images, please click on one as it passes through the slide show, and proceed manually. 

Girl with grouse in the Highlands. An original watercolour, artist unknown.
Girl with grouse in the Highlands. An original watercolour, artist unknown.
Highland Girls, one with and one without shoes. An original watercolour by P.F. Poole, RA.
Highland Girls, one with and one without shoes. An original watercolour by P.F. Poole, RA.
Detail from a painting attributed to William Evans, titled "Near Callander." See my collection of Paintings of the NW for the full image.
Detail from a painting attributed to William Evans, titled "Near Callander." See my collection of Paintings of the NW for the full image.
An original painting, artist unknown, of a girl with her peat burden. Possibly Irish or Scottish.
An original painting, artist unknown, of a girl with her peat burden. Possibly Irish or Scottish.
A very fine pencil drawing, artist unknown.
A very fine pencil drawing, artist unknown.
"Economy." A caricature by W. Davison, of Alnwick.
"Economy." A caricature by W. Davison, of Alnwick.
"The Cottage Toilet." An engraving after Sir David Wilkie.
"The Cottage Toilet." An engraving after Sir David Wilkie.
"The Country Lassie." An engraving after J.M. Wright, on the theme of a Burns poem.
"The Country Lassie." An engraving after J.M. Wright, on the theme of a Burns poem.
"Down the Burn Davie." A Victorian music sheet by James Crawford.
"Down the Burn Davie." A Victorian music sheet by James Crawford.
"A Highland Cottage." An engraving after A. Fraser.
"A Highland Cottage." An engraving after A. Fraser.
"Oban Messenger Boys." By W. Ralston, from a page in the Graphic Magazine, 1874.
"Oban Messenger Boys." By W. Ralston, from a page in the Graphic Magazine, 1874.
"Le Coup de L'Etrier chez les Montagnards Ecossais." An engraving from a French magazine, 1872, extolling the generosity of the Highlanders.
"Le Coup de L'Etrier chez les Montagnards Ecossais." An engraving from a French magazine, 1872, extolling the generosity of the Highlanders.
A detail from a Henry Heath caricature, "Deer Sport in the Highlands" suggesting Prince Albert had a roving eye!
A detail from a Henry Heath caricature, "Deer Sport in the Highlands" suggesting Prince Albert had a roving eye!
A fine lithograph, a character study by W. Simson titled "Highland Gillie."
A fine lithograph, a character study by W. Simson titled "Highland Gillie."
A postcard of "The Order of Release", a painting at the Tate Gallery by Millais.
A postcard of "The Order of Release", a painting at the Tate Gallery by Millais.
Two postcards, the romantic image of "A Highland Lassie."
Two postcards, the romantic image of "A Highland Lassie."
Postcard of Sir David Wilkie's painting "The Abbotsford Family", 1817, showing Sir Walter Scott and his family dressed as peasants.
Postcard of Sir David Wilkie's painting "The Abbotsford Family", 1817, showing Sir Walter Scott and his family dressed as peasants.
A pair of postcards, from McIan's "Gaelic Gatherings or Highlanders at Home ....." The book is full of images of unshod women and children.
A pair of postcards, from McIan's "Gaelic Gatherings or Highlanders at Home ....." The book is full of images of unshod women and children.
A Christmas Greetings card from Blairgowrie, an invitation to a Social Afternoon in the Town Hall on December 29th....
A Christmas Greetings card from Blairgowrie, an invitation to a Social Afternoon in the Town Hall on December 29th....
An early 20th century postcard, Cromarty.
An early 20th century postcard, Cromarty.
"Ferryden, near Montrose." A photograph, date and photographer unknown.
"Ferryden, near Montrose." A photograph, date and photographer unknown.
"Oban, 1892." A photograph showing some children without shoes.
"Oban, 1892." A photograph showing some children without shoes.
Nairn, 1890. One child with an alarming scythe!
Nairn, 1890. One child with an alarming scythe!
"Gipsies near Banavie".a photograph taken in 1911.
"Gipsies near Banavie".a photograph taken in 1911.
Two young caddies, at Prestwick(?). Early 20th century. One with, one without shoes.
Two young caddies, at Prestwick(?). Early 20th century. One with, one without shoes.
Two photographs of "The Arrival of Mail, Kilchrenan 1917." From the album of Sir James Angus Gillan.
Two photographs of "The Arrival of Mail, Kilchrenan 1917." From the album of Sir James Angus Gillan.
"Dodo, the Postman, Kilchrenan." Riding a bicycle with bare feet.
"Dodo, the Postman, Kilchrenan." Riding a bicycle with bare feet.
Detail from a photograph "Skye Crofters, 1897". Photographer unknown.
Detail from a photograph "Skye Crofters, 1897". Photographer unknown.
Detail from a photograph "Scotch Crofters. 3 Generations." Photographer unknown.
Detail from a photograph "Scotch Crofters. 3 Generations." Photographer unknown.
"Sheep Fank , N. Tolsta [Lewis]." A photo by W.J.G. A fank is both a sheep pen, and sheep shearing. The children have all gathered for this important occasion, some with and some without shoes.
"Sheep Fank , N. Tolsta [Lewis]." A photo by W.J.G. A fank is both a sheep pen, and sheep shearing. The children have all gathered for this important occasion, some with and some without shoes.
An early 20th century photograph, locals from Kinlochbervie. Photographer unknown.
An early 20th century photograph, locals from Kinlochbervie. Photographer unknown.
An original pencil sketch by the Victorian Scottish artist William Donnelly.
An original pencil sketch by the Victorian Scottish artist William Donnelly.
A detail from a postcard of Brora Harbour, sent in 1904. The children are all without shoes, though of course they are on a beach - albeit, a rather stony one.
A detail from a postcard of Brora Harbour, sent in 1904. The children are all without shoes, though of course they are on a beach - albeit, a rather stony one.
"Group of St Kilda Women." One of a famous series of St Kilda photographs by G.W. Wilson. All the ladies are barefooted.
"Group of St Kilda Women." One of a famous series of St Kilda photographs by G.W. Wilson. All the ladies are barefooted.
Potato Lifting. A fine etching by William Strang, c.1882. Strang, a Scottish artist, was based in London from 1875, but the bare feet of these girls suggests a Highland scene to me.
Potato Lifting. A fine etching by William Strang, c.1882. Strang, a Scottish artist, was based in London from 1875, but the bare feet of these girls suggests a Highland scene to me.
A girl, spotted at the Bridge of Allan by C.J. Newcombe. An original watercolour painting. c.1870
A girl, spotted at the Bridge of Allan by C.J. Newcombe. An original watercolour painting. c.1870
Another at the Bridge of Allan, by C.J. Newcombe.
Another at the Bridge of Allan, by C.J. Newcombe.

Girl with grouse in the Highlands. An original watercolour, artist unknown.

Highland Girls, one with and one without shoes. An original watercolour by P.F. Poole, RA.

Detail from a painting attributed to William Evans, titled "Near Callander." See my collection of Paintings of the NW for the full image.

An original painting, artist unknown, of a girl with her peat burden. Possibly Irish or Scottish.

A very fine pencil drawing, artist unknown.

"Economy." A caricature by W. Davison, of Alnwick.

"The Cottage Toilet." An engraving after Sir David Wilkie.

"The Country Lassie." An engraving after J.M. Wright, on the theme of a Burns poem.

"Down the Burn Davie." A Victorian music sheet by James Crawford.

"A Highland Cottage." An engraving after A. Fraser.

"Oban Messenger Boys." By W. Ralston, from a page in the Graphic Magazine, 1874.

"Le Coup de L'Etrier chez les Montagnards Ecossais." An engraving from a French magazine, 1872, extolling the generosity of the Highlanders.

A detail from a Henry Heath caricature, "Deer Sport in the Highlands" suggesting Prince Albert had a roving eye!

A fine lithograph, a character study by W. Simson titled "Highland Gillie."

A postcard of "The Order of Release", a painting at the Tate Gallery by Millais.

Two postcards, the romantic image of "A Highland Lassie."

Postcard of Sir David Wilkie's painting "The Abbotsford Family", 1817, showing Sir Walter Scott and his family dressed as peasants.

A pair of postcards, from McIan's "Gaelic Gatherings or Highlanders at Home ....." The book is full of images of unshod women and children.

A Christmas Greetings card from Blairgowrie, an invitation to a Social Afternoon in the Town Hall on December 29th....

An early 20th century postcard, Cromarty.

"Ferryden, near Montrose." A photograph, date and photographer unknown.

"Oban, 1892." A photograph showing some children without shoes.

Nairn, 1890. One child with an alarming scythe!

"Gipsies near Banavie".a photograph taken in 1911.

Two young caddies, at Prestwick(?). Early 20th century. One with, one without shoes.

Two photographs of "The Arrival of Mail, Kilchrenan 1917." From the album of Sir James Angus Gillan.

"Dodo, the Postman, Kilchrenan." Riding a bicycle with bare feet.

Detail from a photograph "Skye Crofters, 1897". Photographer unknown.

Detail from a photograph "Scotch Crofters. 3 Generations." Photographer unknown.

"Sheep Fank , N. Tolsta [Lewis]." A photo by W.J.G. A fank is both a sheep pen, and sheep shearing. The children have all gathered for this important occasion, some with and some without shoes.

An early 20th century photograph, locals from Kinlochbervie. Photographer unknown.

An original pencil sketch by the Victorian Scottish artist William Donnelly.

A detail from a postcard of Brora Harbour, sent in 1904. The children are all without shoes, though of course they are on a beach - albeit, a rather stony one.

"Group of St Kilda Women." One of a famous series of St Kilda photographs by G.W. Wilson. All the ladies are barefooted.

Potato Lifting. A fine etching by William Strang, c.1882. Strang, a Scottish artist, was based in London from 1875, but the bare feet of these girls suggests a Highland scene to me.

A girl, spotted at the Bridge of Allan by C.J. Newcombe. An original watercolour painting. c.1870

Another at the Bridge of Allan, by C.J. Newcombe.

A Late 19thC Music Sheet Cover, artist unknown.

A Late 19thC Music Sheet Cover, artist unknown.

No. 6 in John Pridham's "Hills and Lakes of Scotland." The girl is selling fish.

Bringing Home Peats.

Bringing Home Peats.

A Valentine image, registered in 1925. I think she has bare feet?

Dividing The Catch Bowmore Pier

Dividing The Catch Bowmore Pier

Hardly a shoe to be seen on these children on Islay. Of course this photo is taken by the sea, but I suspect these children were always shoeless. No date on this postcard.

The Town Hall & Square, Loanfearne. Ballachulish.

The Town Hall & Square, Loanfearne. Ballachulish.

An unposted pre-1914 postcard. At least three of the children are not wearing shoes.

Highland Sports. Dear Stalking

Highland Sports. Dear Stalking

A card sent in 1904.

Home-made Jam

Home-made Jam

A surprising example in Tuck's "Scottish Rough Sea" series, though see also the artist sketching Granny in the "Artists at Work" page, another social image in the series.

Shepherdess

Shepherdess

A watercolour portrait by Anna Busk, c.1870. One of three such portraits. One of the others depicts a Highlander (see 'Highland Types'). Her clothing does not look particularly Scottish, but her bare feet might suggest a Scottish lass.