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Legends about Corryvreckan. The contributor reads, from a newspaper cutting from the Scotsman, an account of Corryvreckan; its derivation and legends.

Cultivation. The sharing of strips of land is described. The shepherd's strips were always near the outbye so his crops would suffer first if the animals got in.

Marking and castration of lambs. Earmarking of lambs was known as 'comharrachadh'. Castration was known as 'gearradh' or 'spoth'.

Jura ferry services in 1971. The vehicle ferry run by Western Ferries makes traffic to and from the distillery possible, and individuals can take their cars to Islay every day. Previously the only...

John MacLean's parents made a living from weaving and crofting on Lewis. John MacLean's parents are natives of Lewis, and after living for a while in Edinburgh they returned to the island to make ...

Ploughing using the cas-chrom. The cas-chrom was used quite extensively in Jura. Cultivated strips were tilled crosswise. A half-moon at the bottom of a strip was called 'iteag'.

Peat-cutting. Description of a peat-spade (fàl-mòine) and of a turfing-spade (làir-cheap). Turfing was known as 'sgrathadh' or 'bearradh'. Turf was put in the bottom of the bank (cladach), grass s...

Harvesting and a related custom. Crops were first cut with a sickle. This was a woman's job, but men sometimes helped. When the scythe appeared, it became a man's job. The women tied bands, made s...

Ploughing was always done with a pair of horses. Names and a description of the parts of the plough are given.

Lighting and fuel. Peat torches: Sandy Buie can remember hearing of these. 'Smàladh a' ghealbhain': banking the fire for the night. Wood was used as fuel, except rowan, which was never cut or burn...