‘Fingers ached’ as creel project took shape at Castlehill
A GROUP of local people have been shown the traditional method of making baskets by an internationally renowned craftsman.
Tim Johnson, who comes from the Isle of Wight, spent three days at the Castlehill Heritage Centre where around 25 students benefited from his experience.
They learned to make dishes and bowls from buff willow, bags from rush and iris stems, and a traditional fishing creel for taking home the catch, made from heather stems or docken stalks, bound by hand-twisted coir twine.
Centre chair Muriel Murray explained it was hard work as springy heather had to be subdued.
“Fingers ached as the twine was knotted and tightened, pulling the creel into shape,” she said.
The creel project was inspired by the donation of a 100-year-old fishing creel to the centre by Sheila Moir, from Scarfskerry.
Mr Johnson, who travels the world studying and teaching his art, stressed the importance of such projects to keep alive local crafts no longer practised.
“This was Tim’s second successful visit to the heritage centre as part of our ongoing programme of traditional skills tuition. It is hoped a further visit can be arranged next year,” said Mrs Murray.