How Highlanders Learned to Love the Humble Potato
By Hugh Gosling
Even in those darkest of days, the spirit of the Highlands endured.
In the popular imagination, Highlanders are not known for their eager embrace of the new.
The reality is quite different, of course. Highland society both now and in the past have adapted to changing conditions and embraced innovation.
A good example is the humble potato. Mince and tatties, stovies, neeps and tatties, Orkney clapshot! The Scot's love affair with the humble potato is now deep and strong.
Admittedly, when first cultivated on South Uist in 1743, it was done so under duress. Once harvested, the people took the odd-looking root to their clan chief and declared that he could make them grow 'these worthless things' but he could not make them eat them!
Yet, Highlanders soon saw the benefits of the potato - a century later, they made up 80% of the Highland diet. After all, potatoes did well in the challenging Highland soil and climate and were well nourished by the kelp seaweed Highlanders used to fertilise their crops. What's more, the potato required less tending than other crops, freeing up busy Highlands for other, more important activities.
With the plentiful calories (and health-promoting vitamin C) found in potatoes, the Highlands population boomed after 1750 and potatoes quickly became part of Highland life. Older members of our communities today still remember the rituals of springtime planting and autumnal lifting/storing of potatoes.
Of course, the boom times did not last. The blight from Ireland reached the Highlands in 1846, decimating the potato crop. While the Highlands did not see the shocking mass starvation and disease of the Irish Great Hunger, it caused great distress.
Even in those darkest of days, the spirit of the Highlands endured. In fact, it was exported as tens of thousands of Highland men and women left the land of their forebears to seek a better life for themselves and their children on new shores and new adventures in Canada or Australia.
Image provided by Am Baile/ Highland Libraries
Crofters planting potatoes in the early 20th century
We Want to Hear From You!
Share your stories about the history of the Highlands and Islands
Stories are at the heart of what we do as a project and we are always looking to learn more about what the Highlands and Islands means to people who live, work, and visit here.
The history of the Highlands and Islands comes alive in photographs such as this one of local crofters planting potatoes in the early 20th century. Such photographs shine a light on significant historical moments and echo its impact on local communities. We would love to know, are there any photographs, art pieces, or objects you feel encapsulate turning points in the history of the Highlands and Islands? Tell us below, we can't wait to hear from you!
Click here to share your story through our online story portal