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The Immeasurable Wilds: Travellers to the Far North of Scotland

Women At Work: What was expected of a Female in the Highlands.

"Girl with Creel, Skye." GW Wilson's image c1880 captures the hard life it must have been at that time.
"Girl with Creel, Skye." GW Wilson's image c1880 captures the hard life it must have been at that time.
Ladies Carrying Wood. Possibly Glen Luce. Photographer unknown.
Ladies Carrying Wood. Possibly Glen Luce. Photographer unknown.
"Crofter and Daughter." A photograph by GW Wilson.
"Crofter and Daughter." A photograph by GW Wilson.
"The Cas Chron". The men are wielding the implment while the women bring over and mix in seaweed. They are planting potatoes. A GW Wilson photograph.
"The Cas Chron". The men are wielding the implment while the women bring over and mix in seaweed. They are planting potatoes. A GW Wilson photograph.
Hoeing(?) on Orkney. Photographer unknown.
Hoeing(?) on Orkney. Photographer unknown.
"Peat Cutting on Orkney, c1900." Photographer unknown.
"Peat Cutting on Orkney, c1900." Photographer unknown.
"Raising Peat, Shetland, Shetland Isles." Photographer unknown.
"Raising Peat, Shetland, Shetland Isles." Photographer unknown.
"Peat Cutting on Hoy" (Orkney), by J Valentine.
"Peat Cutting on Hoy" (Orkney), by J Valentine.
"Bringing in the Peats." A Valentine Scottish Study.
"Bringing in the Peats." A Valentine Scottish Study.
A wonderful image taken by 'J.A.", with the title "Cuts and Carries Peat at 82. Lang may her Lum Reek [chimney smoke]." Probably on Lewis.
A wonderful image taken by 'J.A.", with the title "Cuts and Carries Peat at 82. Lang may her Lum Reek [chimney smoke]." Probably on Lewis.
"Taking Home Peats, Stornoway." A postcard published by T. Nicolson, Stornoway.
"Taking Home Peats, Stornoway." A postcard published by T. Nicolson, Stornoway.
"Shetlander Knitting", a GWW postcard, posted in 1907.
"Shetlander Knitting", a GWW postcard, posted in 1907.
"Shetlanders." A card posted in 1909.
"Shetlanders." A card posted in 1909.
"Gathering Winter Fuel" - the peat. Knitting as they go - no time was wasted. A Christmas Greeting from Blairgowrie.
"Gathering Winter Fuel" - the peat. Knitting as they go - no time was wasted. A Christmas Greeting from Blairgowrie.
"Wool Washer, S. Harris." A photograph by GW Wilson.
"Wool Washer, S. Harris." A photograph by GW Wilson.
"Dyeing the Wool, Harris." Photographer unknown.
"Dyeing the Wool, Harris." Photographer unknown.
"Dyeing Wool - Natives of Shawbost - Isle of Lewis." An early 20th century postcard, publisher unknown.
"Dyeing Wool - Natives of Shawbost - Isle of Lewis." An early 20th century postcard, publisher unknown.
"Spinning Wool", a photograph by GW Wilson.
"Spinning Wool", a photograph by GW Wilson.
"Highland Cottage Interior." A National Series Postcard (Millar & Lang).
"Highland Cottage Interior." A National Series Postcard (Millar & Lang).
MacIan's "Highlanders at Home" was part of an effort to establish a history for the Highlands. The images are somewhat idealised, but they give a good idea of the work women were required to do. Here, "Carrying Fern."
MacIan's "Highlanders at Home" was part of an effort to establish a history for the Highlands. The images are somewhat idealised, but they give a good idea of the work women were required to do. Here, "Carrying Fern."
"Carrying Home Peat." Note the bare feet in all these McIan Images.
"Carrying Home Peat." Note the bare feet in all these McIan Images.
"The Handmill."
"The Handmill."
"Washing." The Victorians were somewhat taken aback by the images of girls raising their skirts to the knees in order to do the washing. It was thought somewhat indecent.
"Washing." The Victorians were somewhat taken aback by the images of girls raising their skirts to the knees in order to do the washing. It was thought somewhat indecent.
"Gathering Dulse." - Seaweed.
"Gathering Dulse." - Seaweed.
"Carding Wool."
"Carding Wool."
"Spinning with the Distaff."
"Spinning with the Distaff."
Waulking the Cloth, from Pennant's Tour of the Highlands in 1772. Such work was often accompanied by singing - MacCulloch stumbled on some women at work, "... kicking and singing and hallooing as if they had been possessed by twelve devils."
Waulking the Cloth, from Pennant's Tour of the Highlands in 1772. Such work was often accompanied by singing - MacCulloch stumbled on some women at work, "... kicking and singing and hallooing as if they had been possessed by twelve devils."
A display of 'waulking the tweed' at the Imperial Exhibition in London, 1909. The aim was to strech and soften the cloth. I am not sure that these women in London were quite so vocal!
A display of 'waulking the tweed' at the Imperial Exhibition in London, 1909. The aim was to strech and soften the cloth. I am not sure that these women in London were quite so vocal!
A less demanding job: preparing the picnic at St Abb's Head. Photographer unknown.
A less demanding job: preparing the picnic at St Abb's Head. Photographer unknown.
An employee of the North British Railway, at Fort William. Photographer unknown.
An employee of the North British Railway, at Fort William. Photographer unknown.
The Fishseller at the Door. A photograph from a set that seem to have been taken in the district of Nairn.
The Fishseller at the Door. A photograph from a set that seem to have been taken in the district of Nairn.
The Donkey Cart. A photograph by Charles Reid.
The Donkey Cart. A photograph by Charles Reid.
A Scottish Milkmaid. An early 20th C postcard by Millar & Lang, Glasgow.
A Scottish Milkmaid. An early 20th C postcard by Millar & Lang, Glasgow.
"At Stornoway Market." The lady on the left is holding a cow on a rope.
"At Stornoway Market." The lady on the left is holding a cow on a rope.
An anonymous photograph, possibly at Ullapool. It was the women's job to gut the Herrings when they were brought into the harbours.
An anonymous photograph, possibly at Ullapool. It was the women's job to gut the Herrings when they were brought into the harbours.
"Cromarty Fisher Girls" by James Valentine.
"Cromarty Fisher Girls" by James Valentine.
An anonymous photograph from a glass negative.
An anonymous photograph from a glass negative.
"Unloading and cleaning fish from the Herring Boats crowded at the Quay, Wick, Scotland." A 1905 stereoview by Underwood.
"Unloading and cleaning fish from the Herring Boats crowded at the Quay, Wick, Scotland." A 1905 stereoview by Underwood.
Herring Gutters, Stornaway. A James Valentine photograph. A nasty job, but the industry was a crucial one for the Highlands.
Herring Gutters, Stornaway. A James Valentine photograph. A nasty job, but the industry was a crucial one for the Highlands.
"Scotch Washing." Scotland was renowned for the bold washing technique of the ladies. This is a caricature by Isaac Cruikshank.
"Scotch Washing." Scotland was renowned for the bold washing technique of the ladies. This is a caricature by Isaac Cruikshank.
It gave rise to much slightly non-PC humour!
It gave rise to much slightly non-PC humour!
More of the same.
More of the same.
A Highland Washing, one of many such early 20th century postcards, the image by Valentine dated 1904.
A Highland Washing, one of many such early 20th century postcards, the image by Valentine dated 1904.
The less humorous side of it: Washing Day in Musselburgh.....
The less humorous side of it: Washing Day in Musselburgh.....
....and Fishers' Washing Day, Arbroath.
....and Fishers' Washing Day, Arbroath.
This CDV suggests that even in high society, women knew their place. Mr Livingstone from Cumnock sits reading while his wife stands beside him, knitting in hand!
This CDV suggests that even in high society, women knew their place. Mr Livingstone from Cumnock sits reading while his wife stands beside him, knitting in hand!
Women were expected to help the men with their chores. Here, two women are in the water, helping the menfolk to launch their boat at Auchmithie.
Women were expected to help the men with their chores. Here, two women are in the water, helping the menfolk to launch their boat at Auchmithie.
"Betty, Auchmithie." From a psotcard sent in 1906. "Is this like anything you want?" the sender asks a Mr Johnson on the back.
"Betty, Auchmithie." From a psotcard sent in 1906. "Is this like anything you want?" the sender asks a Mr Johnson on the back.
"Peat Cutting at Morar." Bringing in the peats was always a job for both sexes.
"Peat Cutting at Morar." Bringing in the peats was always a job for both sexes.
"Uiginish Lodge from Dunvegan Post Office, Skye." The one lady at work here doesn't look dressed for heavy ploughing! Probably in charge of refreshments.
"Uiginish Lodge from Dunvegan Post Office, Skye." The one lady at work here doesn't look dressed for heavy ploughing! Probably in charge of refreshments.
Potato Lifting. A superb etching c1882 by William Strang. Nothing surpasses this for displaying the hardship and work expected of women. Not necessarily a Scottish scene (Strang was based in London from 1875), but the bare feet of the women suggests to me a Highland image.
Potato Lifting. A superb etching c1882 by William Strang. Nothing surpasses this for displaying the hardship and work expected of women. Not necessarily a Scottish scene (Strang was based in London from 1875), but the bare feet of the women suggests to me a Highland image.
A small, original watercolour by C.J. Newcombe, a woman at work near the Bridge of Allan. From a collection said to date from the 1870s
A small, original watercolour by C.J. Newcombe, a woman at work near the Bridge of Allan. From a collection said to date from the 1870s
Another by Newcombe. Not exactly Highland (it is titled 'Edinborough') but here for the record. Note that she is wearing shoes. I have added a third by Newcombe to the collection titled 'Bare Feet!' She is not at work, but she does not wear shoes.
Another by Newcombe. Not exactly Highland (it is titled 'Edinborough') but here for the record. Note that she is wearing shoes. I have added a third by Newcombe to the collection titled 'Bare Feet!' She is not at work, but she does not wear shoes.

"You would be amused to see what useful people women are in the far north. They drive carts, hold the ploughs, in short, do all the manual labour, and if a cottager loses his horse or ox, or any other beast of burden, he marries a wife to make up the difference." So observed Catherine Sinclair in her book Scotland and the Scotch (1840). She was not alone amongst visitors to the Highlands to note what was expected of females. John MacCulloch suggested that "the fair sex in this country is unquestionably the most active and useful part of the community." In addition to domestic work, ranging from grinding corn to cooking to carding, dyeing, and spinning, women were expected to help in work that involved hard labour, especially in carrying items like peat, seaweed, etc.

I have a number of images of females at work in the Highlands and Islands which I will share with you on this photo-album page.

Girl with Creel.

Girl with Creel.

"Girl with Creel, Skye." GW Wilson's image c1880 captures the hard life it must have been at that time.

Ladies Carrying Wood. Possibly Glen Luce. Photographer unknown.

"Crofter and Daughter." A photograph by GW Wilson.

The Cas Choom, Skye.

The Cas Choom, Skye.

A scarce Valentine image on a postcard posted in 1905.

"The Cas Chron". The men are wielding the implment while the women bring over and mix in seaweed. They are planting potatoes. A GW Wilson photograph.

Hoeing(?) on Orkney. Photographer unknown.

"Peat Cutting on Orkney, c1900." Photographer unknown.

"Raising Peat, Shetland, Shetland Isles." Photographer unknown.

"Peat Cutting on Hoy" (Orkney), by J Valentine.

"Bringing in the Peats." A Valentine Scottish Study.

A wonderful image taken by 'J.A.", with the title "Cuts and Carries Peat at 82. Lang may her Lum Reek [chimney smoke]." Probably on Lewis.

"Taking Home Peats, Stornoway." A postcard published by T. Nicolson, Stornoway.

"Shetlander Knitting", a GWW postcard, posted in 1907.

"Shetlanders." A card posted in 1909.

"Gathering Winter Fuel" - the peat. Knitting as they go - no time was wasted. A Christmas Greeting from Blairgowrie.

"Wool Washer, S. Harris." A photograph by GW Wilson.

"Dyeing the Wool, Harris." Photographer unknown.

"Dyeing Wool - Natives of Shawbost - Isle of Lewis." An early 20th century postcard, publisher unknown.

"Spinning Wool", a photograph by GW Wilson.

"Highland Cottage Interior." A National Series Postcard (Millar & Lang).

MacIan's "Highlanders at Home" was part of an effort to establish a history for the Highlands. The images are somewhat idealised, but they give a good idea of the work women were required to do. Here, "Carrying Fern."

"Carrying Home Peat." Note the bare feet in all these McIan Images.

"The Handmill."

"Washing." The Victorians were somewhat taken aback by the images of girls raising their skirts to the knees in order to do the washing. It was thought somewhat indecent.

"Gathering Dulse." - Seaweed.

"Carding Wool."

"Spinning with the Distaff."

Waulking the Cloth, from Pennant's Tour of the Highlands in 1772. Such work was often accompanied by singing - MacCulloch stumbled on some women at work, "... kicking and singing and hallooing as if they had been possessed by twelve devils."

A display of 'waulking the tweed' at the Imperial Exhibition in London, 1909. The aim was to strech and soften the cloth. I am not sure that these women in London were quite so vocal!

A less demanding job: preparing the picnic at St Abb's Head. Photographer unknown.

An employee of the North British Railway, at Fort William. Photographer unknown.

The Fishseller at the Door. A photograph from a set that seem to have been taken in the district of Nairn.

The Donkey Cart. A photograph by Charles Reid.

A Scottish Milkmaid. An early 20th C postcard by Millar & Lang, Glasgow.

"At Stornoway Market." The lady on the left is holding a cow on a rope.

An anonymous photograph, possibly at Ullapool. It was the women's job to gut the Herrings when they were brought into the harbours.

"Cromarty Fisher Girls" by James Valentine.

An anonymous photograph from a glass negative.

"Unloading and cleaning fish from the Herring Boats crowded at the Quay, Wick, Scotland." A 1905 stereoview by Underwood.

Herring Gutters, Stornaway. A James Valentine photograph. A nasty job, but the industry was a crucial one for the Highlands.

"Scotch Washing." Scotland was renowned for the bold washing technique of the ladies. This is a caricature by Isaac Cruikshank.

It gave rise to much slightly non-PC humour!

More of the same.

A Highland Washing, one of many such early 20th century postcards, the image by Valentine dated 1904.

The less humorous side of it: Washing Day in Musselburgh.....

....and Fishers' Washing Day, Arbroath.

This CDV suggests that even in high society, women knew their place. Mr Livingstone from Cumnock sits reading while his wife stands beside him, knitting in hand!

Women were expected to help the men with their chores. Here, two women are in the water, helping the menfolk to launch their boat at Auchmithie.

"Betty, Auchmithie." From a psotcard sent in 1906. "Is this like anything you want?" the sender asks a Mr Johnson on the back.

Auchmithie Street Scene.

Auchmithie Street Scene.

A card posted in 1907. Various figures, mostly women carrying out various tasks.

"Peat Cutting at Morar." Bringing in the peats was always a job for both sexes.

"Uiginish Lodge from Dunvegan Post Office, Skye." The one lady at work here doesn't look dressed for heavy ploughing! Probably in charge of refreshments.

Potato Lifting. A superb etching c1882 by William Strang. Nothing surpasses this for displaying the hardship and work expected of women. Not necessarily a Scottish scene (Strang was based in London from 1875), but the bare feet of the women suggests to me a Highland image.

A small, original watercolour by C.J. Newcombe, a woman at work near the Bridge of Allan. From a collection said to date from the 1870s

Another by Newcombe. Not exactly Highland (it is titled 'Edinborough') but here for the record. Note that she is wearing shoes. I have added a third by Newcombe to the collection titled 'Bare Feet!' She is not at work, but she does not wear shoes.

Bringing Home Peats, JV

Bringing Home Peats, JV

A valentine postcard , the photo registered in 1925.

Grinding Corn, GWW

Grinding Corn, GWW

From a magic lantern slide

Shetland Knitter. GWW

Shetland Knitter. GWW

Basket Makers on Cullen Links

Basket Makers on Cullen Links

I'm not sure how many of the women are here making baskets, but it is an interesting scene on a Tuck postcard sent in 1909.

Grannie Auchmithie

Grannie Auchmithie

A pre-WW1 image on a postcard.

Digging Potatoes, Orphir, Orkney

Digging Potatoes, Orphir, Orkney

A Kent's Series card. Lifting potatoes must have been a back-breaking job, but here the work is shared with the men.

Three Seater, Isle of Barra

Three Seater, Isle of Barra

Photographer unknown.

Scotch Fishwives

Scotch Fishwives

A card sent in 1903. Probably fishwives in the Lowlands.

Scotch Fishwife

Scotch Fishwife

A card sent in 1905. The National series of postcards.

Baiting, Cromarty

Baiting, Cromarty

An antique postcard, publisher unknown.

Taking Home Peats, Stornoway

Taking Home Peats, Stornoway

A pre-WW1 postcard, publisher unknown.

The Shepherd's Star (2)

The Shepherd's Star (2)

A pre-WW1 postcard published as advertising material by John Dewar, whisky distillers in Perth

4 Ladies carrying peat.

4 Ladies carrying peat.

An image from the Highland Exhibition catalogue, held in Inverness in 1930 (see the page on two Highland exhibitions).

Spinning in the Highlands.

Spinning in the Highlands.

Another image from the Highland Exhibition catalogue, 1930.

Lady with pipe

Lady with pipe

Not necessarily Scottish, though the trim on the upper coat might suggest tartan, and she has no shoes and might be carrying peat. An original drawing, apparently taken from an image in Ely Cathedral.

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