ID:QZP99_94032_01_05DESCRIPTION:The potato became popular as a crop in the Highlands during the 18th century. It produced a better return than most other crops grown and by 1800 potatoes made up about 80% of the Highland diet. In the 1840s the failure of the potato crops due to a blight led to many people emigrating to avoid starvation.
Potatoes were often planted in lazy-beds (or feannagan). These were raised beds of seaweed manure, compost and soil about a metre in width. Lazy-beds provided a limited area of fertile soil and potatoes grew well in them.
The potato crop remained important in the Highlands and it was not unusual for children to be absent from school during the planting and picking seasons.
This image comes from a collection gifted to Edinburgh Central Library by Dr Isabel F. Grant. The collection includes photographs taken by a number of different photographers.This image was taken by Margaret Fay Shaw and is part of the Margaret Fay Shaw Collection, Canna House, National Trust for ScotlandPLACENAME:South UistDISTRICT:South UistOLD COUNTY/PARISH:INVERNESS: South UistCREATOR (AV):Margaret Fay Shaw CampbellSOURCE:Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, Edinburgh Central LibraryCOLLECTION:I F Grant Photographic ArchiveAsset ID:38549KEYWORDS:
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