Tuesday, 4 August 2015

MY RECENT VISIT TO THE OUTER HEBRIDES and DOLLS FROM SCOTLAND

I have recently returned from THE OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND.  As I was unable to find any suitable Scottish dolls when I was there, I am listing some lovely Scottish dolls made by the Award Winning Doll Maker, SHEENA MacLEOD, which I purchased a few years ago.  They are good quality dolls portraying characters of Scotland in everyday working dress.

Their hair is real lambswool and the fabrics used to make their clothes are genuine Scottish tweeds.  The little stools and other wooden accessories were made by Sheena's husband and son, (with the exception of the spinning wheel, which was made in Wales).  The seaweed was collected from the beach by Sheena's daughter.  The tiny knitted garments and "knitting on needles" were knitted by out-workers.  .
The dolls all have cloth over wire armature bodies with clay heads, hands and feet.  The features are painted..

I have also added a few photos from my visit to the Isle of Lewis, and the Isle of Harris (The Outer Hebrides, Scotland), which I took when I was there.  (The weather was not good, hence the photos which are a little dark).

For more photos of the dolls, please see my website.  Thank you.
SCOTLAND - (Isle of Skye pair)
Website Id:  (Europe - Scotland - 0016, 0016A and 0016B)
 SCOTLAND - (Newhaven fishwife)
Website Id:  (Europe - Scotland - 0017 and 0017A)
 SCOTLAND - (Island woman)
Website Id:  (Europe - Scotland - 0018 and 0018A) 
 SCOTLAND - (Younger fishwife)
Website Id:  (Europe - Scotland - 0019, 0019A and 0019B)
 SCOTLAND - (lady knitting)
Website Id:  (Europe - Scotland - 0020 and 0020A) 
 SCOTLAND - (man with fishing creel)
Website Id: (Europe -Scotland - 0021 and 0021A)
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SOME PHOTOS FROM THE OUTER HEBRIDES.
These islands situated on the Atlantic coast, are mostly known for farming on their crofts, fishing and tourism.  The Isle of Harris has beautiful mountains, and the Isle of Lewis is also mountainous, but mostly in the north of the island.  Because of the geographical position of  The Island, it can be wet and windy, hence the noticeable lack of trees in the north of the island.
ISLE OF HARRIS
(A "busy" petrol station)
 ISLE OF HARRIS
(Taken through the coach windscreen)
 ISLE OF LEWIS
(The Butt of Lewis, the most northerly point of the island)
 ISLE OF LEWIS
(A traditional Blackhouse built in 1885)
 THE ISLE OF LEWIS
(The ceilidh (pronounced "kayley"), the most important 
piece of furniture where family and friends sit together to chat)
(The ceilidh is tucked behind visitors legs!)
 THE ISLE OF LEWIS
(The peat fire in the Blackhouse, with the cooking pot
hanging above.  There is a hole in the ceiling for the smoke to escape).
 THE ISLE OF LEWIS
"Grandad" sleeping in the box-bed.  It was the job of the grandparents
to keep the fire going all night, as if a peat fire goes out, it is difficult to start again,
although it goes very well when it gets going.
ENJOY!
Carole.
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