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The custom of the maiden sheaf, the last sheaf of harvest.

Fieldworkers
Date April 1964
Track ID 75601
Part 1

Track Information

Original Track ID

SA1964.18.A1

Original Tape ID

SA1964.018.019

Summary

The custom of the maiden sheaf, the last sheaf of harvest.

The youngest girl on the harvest field cut the last sheaf and carried it home. A celebration took place at the end of harvest, with eating, drinking, music, and sometimes dancing in the farm kitchen. The last or maiden sheaf, known as A' Mhaighdean Bhuana, was tied with ribbon. It was given to the horses to eat the following year when the first load of the harvest was brought in. Now William Forbes gives it to the cows, because he no longer has any horses. Very few people now [1964] carry out the custom of the last sheaf.

Recording Location

County - Perthshire

Item Location

County - Perthshire

Parish - Dull

Village/Place - Camserney

Language

English

Genre

Information

Collection

SoSS

Source Type

Reel to reel

Audio Quality

Good