Peat.
It's my fault entirely that this wasn't posted in a timely fashion to coincide with Michael Buchanan's report last Wednesday. This was how I introduced it:
"We know from our online credit crunch map that rising fuel costs are being felt most keenly in rural areas.
Owning a car is often not an option and remoteness from the gas network often means having to rely on coal or heating oil for cooking and heating. The Western Isles for instance is estimated to have the highest levels of fuel poverty in the country, and - its claimed - among the world's most expensive diesel. How to help rural communities is being debated as we speak by the Scottish Parliament. Reporting for PM live from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Michael Buchanan".
At the time, Michael sent these phoos and words:
"The soaring cost of fuel has lead to dozens of islanders returning to the ancient tradition of peat cutting. This is the first year the MacLeod family have been on the moors, and they're going to offset some of their heating costs with peat this winter. Paul says he's having a blast, while Norman - who does the hard work - can't stand it.
Calum used to cut peats as a child, and says he's quite enjoying remembering the old habit.
Many of the new peat-cuting irons are made by blacksmith Calum MacLeod. The shop has been in his family since 1920 and for decades the irons were a staple order, with over 100 being produced annually. Two years ago however, Calum only made 6 and he thought the day would come when he wouldn't make any. But this year, he says, he lost count after he'd made 50. Making a tarasgeir - as they're known in Gaidhlig - is not the most interesting task says Calum or indeed the most profitable - each sells for £30.
Finally a little treat for those in the south of Britain who've been deluged over recent days.
They've had 6 glorious weeks of weather here on Lewis, and the island is looking glorious. If you can cope with paying over £6 for a gallon of diesel, come on up!"
Listen to PM
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~34~RS~)
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I think that burning Pete is intolerable! As a caring society we should be.........what.......Ohh........I'll get me coat.
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I love the smell of burning peat - a feature of childhood holidays on Skye. I remember a cottage at Waterloo near Broadford which had a wonderful vegetable garden, unusual then, and the highest, neatest peat stack all along the house wall that I have ever seen.
The owners were an elderly couple (well ok I was a child, so probably about as old as I am now) who managed everything themselves. I think they cut their own peats and if you've ever tried you'll know just what incredibly hard work it is.
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(1) DIY. Drink cup of cocoa, find dark room, lie down.
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Something that is not understood is the distances. From top to bottom of Lewis is the equivalent of London to Brighton. To cross by ferry to mainland Scotland is the equivalent distance to crossing the channel. You can understand the extra costs involved in transportation of fuel... but that does not make it in any way acceptable to be paying over 6ukp a gallon for diesel when most of it is tax (that the islanders see little benefit from).
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I feel certain that 6 pound per gallon is the tourist price and that many buy their diesel from the gentlemen from Ireland who specialise in its low cost distribution. I look forward to approbation from the good people of Lewis for this gross calumny.
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