Hillswick - a seaside hamlet
My grandparents lived in Hillswick at the turn of last century.
Hillswick is on the Atlantic side of the island.
The lifestyle of the Shetlanders revolved around fishing and crofting (farming).
Kent home in Hillswick
This is the home my mother was born in, and lived in for three years,
before migrating to New Zealand.
The original home - a croft house - can hardly be seen today as the house has been refurbished.
An artist bought the house and that is reflected in the style.
Blacksmith's forge at Hillswick
In a field in Hillswick stands this concrete forge.
Along with the concrete foundations
that is all that remains today of my grandfather's blacksmith's shop.
The sea is only a stone's throw away.
Ollaberry
Ollaberry stands on the other (North Sea) side of the island.
This is where my grandmother's extended family lived - the Williamsons.
Again it is a coastal hamlet and the local people live in their crofts.
Peat
Peat deposits are designated to different families.
Here is a cutting where one family is preparing their peat for the winter.
The peat is cut into brick-sized blocks and then stacked to dry (left).
When dry it is stored at home ready to be used.
1 comment:
I loved looking through your trip posts! Thanks for sharing all the photos. =) I've wanted to go for years...one of these times I'll get there! ;-)
Love to you both.
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