Crafts & Customs

From earliest times, the people of Burray and South Ronaldsay have earned their livelihood from working the land and reaping the rich harvest of the sea.

Local farmers are progressive and raise beef and dairy cattle, sheep, pigs and recently, a small number of goats. The South Ronaldsay Agriculture Show is held each year in early August when the pride of island stock is displayed. Local fishing boats catch a variety of shellfish including clams, scallops, prawns, crabs (known locally as 'partans') and lobsters. They also engage in line fishing for cod, ling, haddock and various other coalfish. Oyster farming is a new venture. A local boat-building yard on Burray specialises in building and repairing traditional wooden boats from small dinghies up to forty feet fishing or pleasures vessels. Slipping and storing facilities are also available.

Many small crafts flourish including hand and machine knitting, pottery, art (tuition can be given by arrangement), photography, gold and silver smithing.

A unique custom takes place in August each year in St Margaret's Hope. At The Festival of The Horse and Boys' Ploughing Match, the children of South Ronaldsay dress in colourful costumes and parade as 'horses' prior to the -, assembly proceeding to the Sands o'Right where the boys furrow the sand with miniature. The ploughs are over one hundred years old and have been handed down from generation to generation. Little is known about the origins of this traditional event.