THE SURROUNDING SEA
Skerries' identity
has been established by the sea. It is a place full of past seafaring
romance and tragedy: great sailing ships like the Dutch East Indianian the
Kennemerland and the Liefde, treasure laden and wrecked in
the 17th and 18th centuries, their secrets revealed hundreds of years
later in rare finds of silver and gold on the Skerries shoreline.
Fishing was, historically, the key to a viable community becoming
established; in the days before powerful motor driven vessels, these
islands provided an essential outpost for Shetland's hoof fishermen. In
their small open boats, powered by oars and a single square sail, they
would fish out of sight of land, setting their lines overnight, with
little shelter and only the warmth of a small, carefully guarded fire.
It was dangerous, brutal work, but the value of landings was crucial to
the entire Shetland economy. Fish is still an important industry, with
thriving local boats and of course the unique, community owned salmon
farm, famed for its clear water and the fine quality of its fish.
THE LAND'S GIFTS
Skerries has never
been an easy place to glean survive from the limited amount of land.
Cultivation is not a intense now as it once was, but Skerries still boasts
w preserved rigs. Many of these narrow strips of cultivation are still in
use for tatties, neaps and carrots. Gone, though, is the system of
rotation called vunriA, once essential to ensure everyone received a fair
share of quality land. The plantie crubs and kale yards are
still in evidence although not in use. Sheep are still plentiful as are
their by - products - fragrant lamb, the delicacy known as reestit mutton
and the wool which many Skerries women still turn into the most
delicate of shawls or attractive, and warm, gansies (pullovers).
A SPRINGTIME OASIS
The very fertile
layer of soil which in past days made the islands productive, now
transforms the islands in springtime into a surprisingly green oasis. A
riot of wild flowers appear and visitors arriving by air will be impressed
by the carpet of sea pinks that grow on the grassy banks and cliff tops.
