It’s Harvest Time in Shetland…

…and farmers are reaping in their efforts from the past growing season. We are into the middle of cutting and making hay and, when the dry wind is blowing together with the warm sun we’ve had these last two weeks, the weather has been friendly for this work. Our neighbours cut hay the old fashion way with a scythe (en lie), cutting small patches of field one at at time. Then, they let the grass stay on the ground to dry in the wind/sun, turning this over occasionally in the process. Sometimes, the hay can be piled onto pyramid-like frames to dry, covered with a fishnet to prevent the hay from blowing off.

Photo: Making hay while the sun shines on Shetland

And, harvest time on Shetland means arranging agriculture fairs. These give an opportunity for everyone to show what they have been working with, be judged for quality of agricultural produce and definitely enjoy a good time.

We went to the “Voe Show”, as it was called, and had an immensely fun day. Perhaps because of the great weather, but more definite because of everything to see and do at this fair. For myself, having roots with county fairs in Ohio, I really get a kick out of seeing all the animals and produce as well as I’m impressed by the hard work everyone does and the pride they show in every example shown. It brings the “farmer” out in me.

Let’s just show some simple pictures from Voe’s agricultural show and try to imagine how it was…

Photo1:A curious Shetland pony