Back and Pony Creels of the Highlands and Islands
An Eriskay creel
Eriskay is a small island off the tip of South Uist, Outer Hebrides. Lise Bech and Kate Sankey made two creels reconstructed from an original Eriskay creel. This creel was a 20 stake creel and had a simple mouthwale start as …Continue reading “An Eriskay creel”
Creels of Lewis. A comparison of techniques and materials.
Westside creels (Shawbost, Barvas, Tolsta Chaolais) Donald Macarthur of Shawbost taught me creel making and his creels are based on his father’s methods. See ‘How to make creels’ Malcolm Macarthur was the last professional creel maker on the island. Although …Continue reading “Creels of Lewis. A comparison of techniques and materials.”
Gallery of Back and Pony Creels from the Highlands and Islands
A collection of archival images of creels in use as well as creels presently in museum collections
What we know about back and pony creels of the Highlands and Islands
In the Highlands and Islands creels enabled people and ponies to carry peat, seaweed, potatoes and other produce across rough ground that wheeled carts were not able to access. Usually made of willow, but sometimes with heather, they were made …Continue reading “What we know about back and pony creels of the Highlands and Islands”