| and and the islands that lay off its northern coast are | | | | To illustrate the importance of these containers to the |
| steeped in tradition and heritage. Although theses | | | | agricultural life of these islands, |
| areas are technically part of the Untied Kingdom, many | | | | “Kishie-fills” was the method in which |
| natives still consider themselves to be a separate | | | | the all important harvests were measured. |
| entity from their English neighbors and cling to their | | | | The kishie basket was designed with a strap, which |
| own culture and beliefs. | | | | the natives called a “fettel.” This enabled |
| Until the early 1600’s, England and Scotland | | | | the carriers to sling the container over his back that left |
| were two different countries and were usually at war | | | | their hands free. When used in pairs, these baskets |
| with each other. When Queen Elizabeth I of England | | | | could be placed on each side of the sturdy Shetland |
| died with no children, her cousin James the VI of | | | | ponies that were used as beasts of burdens in this |
| Scotland became the first Stuart king of England and | | | | part of the world. |
| the joining of the two countries had begun. This | | | | The kishie baskets were made of Shetland black oats. |
| unification was legally completed in 1707 by Queen | | | | These oats were arranged in bundles called |
| Anne and was a bitter pill to swallow for most Scots. | | | | “hjogs” and are held in place by |
| Even today, many Scottish nationalists want to be as | | | | two-stranded strings that are called |
| separated from England as much as possible. In recent | | | | “simmins.” |
| years, these men and women were granted their own | | | | Although these Shetland baskets are no longer used |
| Parliament that is set apart from the English | | | | for practical purposes, a renewed interest in the history |
| government, although the English Parliament still retains | | | | of the Shetland Islands has led to these containers |
| the right to approve or disapprove any measures that | | | | becoming valuable collector’s items. The art of |
| are passed by this Scottish governing party. So | | | | weaving these types of baskets has also begun to be |
| Scotland is still not a totally independent entity. | | | | passed on to people who are foreigners to the island |
| The people who live on the islands that surround | | | | communities. |
| Scotland were far more removed from the British | | | | One of the leading kishie basket weavers on the |
| scene due to the isolation that these areas supply. | | | | Shetland Islands is Ewan Balfour. This native |
| Even when Scotland was a separate country that had | | | | Shetlander learned his craft from Lowrie Copland, the |
| its own rulers, these natives were a law among | | | | last traditional basket weaver in Shetland. This young |
| themselves. Controlled by the clans, these communities | | | | man now travels to various exhibits and schools |
| bargained with their Scottish kings rather than being | | | | sharing his knowledge with youngsters from a variety |
| ruled by them. This situation led to the development of | | | | of places and backgrounds. He also shares with them |
| individual crafts and skills that are found only in this | | | | many other aspects of life on the islands. |
| area of the world. | | | | The kishie basket is an important element to the |
| One of the crafts that developed on the Shetland | | | | culture and history of the Shetland Islands. Thanks to |
| Islands was the weaving of the kishie basket. Made | | | | the efforts of Ewan Balfour and other Shetland basket |
| since ancient times, these containers were made to | | | | weavers, the art of making these containers is sure to |
| haul potatoes, peat, grain and seeds. It was also used | | | | live on for future generations. |
| to transport goods to and from the local market place. | | | | |