At the heart of Shetland, Bruce Wilcock perpetuates the tradition of peat cutting.
For many, what Bruce is doing is a mystery. In reality, this unfamiliar vegetable matter is called peat, an alternative of coal to build fire.
His daughter Esme, who took the video on Monday, indicated that peat would then be used for fuel within the family’s household.
Using a ‘tushkar’, Bruce impressively cut the peat before using it for his fireplaces.
The 71-year-old Shetlander built a wall with holes, letting the wind blowing through and drying it out. He will then stack them and bring it home when peat is dry enough to be used. The turf will then be replaced to regenerate.
The family is convinced that this tradition should be continued. Esme said: “Old traditions, skills are dying out and I often think that maybe we should all take a step back in time to when things were handmade, re-made, re-used, fixed up and
Using a ‘tushkar’, Bruce impressively cut the peat before using it for his fireplaces.
The 71-year-old Shetlander built a wall with holes, letting the wind blowing through and drying it out. He will then stack them and bring it home when peat is dry enough to be used. The turf will then be replaced to regenerate.
The family is convinced that this tradition should be continued. Esme said: “Old traditions, skills are dying out and I often think that maybe we should all take a step back in time to when things were handmade, re-made, re-used, fixed up and mended.”