A Crofter's Life in Shetland (clip 5) - A Crofter's Wife

An early documentary by filmmaker Jenny Gilbertson, one of Scotland's film pioneers. It records a traditional way of life which was about to disappear for ever and captures the annual farming year of the crofting communities of the Shetland Isles. The film features the islanders at work on their crofts, gathering peat, fishing and the celebrations during the "Up Helly Aa" festival.

In this clip we see the daily life of a Crofter's wife: sewing, washing outside and collecting peats. Look carefully to see her knitting whilst walking back with the peat basket on her back.

Black and white, Silent

Length of clip: 2:49
Length of original film: 46:00

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Questions:

What is crofting?
What is the woman doing? How old do you think she is?
What do you notice about the landscape and weather conditions?
What do you think the woman is saying to the filmmaker?
Why is peat important to the crofting community?
Discuss the level of hardship experienced by this women
Can you observe any risk to her health from the activities she is engaged in?

Activities:

Health / Home Economics / English: Make a list of all the tasks she does.

Health / Modern Studies / History: Research the roles played by women in the crofting community.

Art and Design / Expressive Arts: Research Shetland wool and knitting patterns. What other fabrics and textiles is Scotland famous for?

Music / English: Research the songs that the women sang whilst waulking and find out what this means.

Expressive Arts: Investigate weaving and knitting methods and create your own simple pattern using paper, wool or other materials.

Media Studies / Moving Image Education / English: Construct a storyboard for part of the film. As you do this notice camera angles and composition.

Record details

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Record ID:	007-000-000-175-C
Resource Rights Holder:	National Library of Scotland
Related Records:	Crofter Boy (clip 1) A Crofter's Life in Shetland (clip 1) A Crofter's Life in Shetland (clip 2) A Crofter's Life in Shetland (clip 3) A Crofter's Life in Shetland (clip 4) A Crofter's Life in Shetland (clip 6) Crofter Boy (clip 2) Crofter Boy (clip 3) Eriskay - A Poem of Remote Lives (clip 2) Pathfinder Pack on Health and Housing in Rural Areas of Scotland 1930s-1960s
Project Ref:	0981
Date:	1931
Genre:	Documentary, amateur, women filmmakers
Subject:	History, Economic History, Social History, Geography, Rivers and Coasts, (Curriculum for Excellence)
Who:	Jenny Gilbertson (director)
Where:	Shetland (Croft)
Event:	Home life
References:

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