Boom in cutting peat as bills rise

RISING oil prices are helping to fuel a revival in the centuries-old practice of cutting peat in the Hebrides.

Generations of islanders grew up accustomed to digging winter fuel supplies from peat banks in the moors, before oil-fired central heating prompted a decline in the tradition.

Now, crippling fuel prices have led many to revert to peat-cutting to heat their homes and save money.

Hundreds are expected to take to the hills and moors this weekend in a throwback to the days when whole villages would turn out for what was a social as well as a practical occasion.

Blacksmiths report that the revival has created an unprecedented demand for the traditional peat iron, or tairsgeir, used to dig out the fuel.

In the past month Alasdair Macleod, a Stornoway blacksmith, has made about 30 tairsgeirean, which have steel blades and long wooden handles, ahead of the traditional start of peat-cutting over the May holiday.

Mr Macleod, 73, said: "For years the demand dwindled. Nobody wanted peat irons. A lot of old irons had been abandoned or thrown away.

"Now people are taking up peat-cutting again because of the cost of fuel."

A good peat-cutter can cut 1,000 peats a day and a croft can burn 15,000 a year.