FOULA HERITAGE

Foula - The Edge of the World

A SHETLAND MEMORIAL TO THE SCOTTISH OFFICE

From The Scotsman, 26th December 1904

A memorial was recently forwarded by the inhabitants of the remote island of Foula, on the west side of Shetland, to the Scottish Office, representing the great need for improved facilities for landing on the island. A reply has now been received from the Secretary for Scotland, stating that he has been in communication with the Congested Districts Board regarding the matter, and that he is sensible of the importance of providing a better landing place at the island if this can be done at a reasonable cost; but that he concurs in the view already expressed that the application must be made by the County Council as statuary authority. Foula suffers not only from its remoteness – it is eighteen miles from Walls, on the mainland – but its only landing place is a mere indentation on the coast. Often when the mail boat has made the passage across from Walls with mails and supplies, it has been unable to land. The people on shore had to stretch a line from side to side of the little voe to enable a boat’s crew to haul their boat in towards the beach, where it was met by the islanders, and the mails and supplies thus secured. Want of a landing place has also prevented people pursuing fishing, by which chiefly they earn their livelihood.

FOULA PIER DONATION

From The Shetland Times, 4th August 1906

Mr R.B. Hunter, agent of the Union Bank, has received a donation of 10s. towards the proposed pier at Foula, from Mr Hugh Hughson, dentist, New Plymouth, New Zealand. Mr Hughson, in writing Mr Hughson, says - "I notice a letter in the Shetland Times of March, re pier at Foula Isle, and I feel interested in the same.

"On a return voyage from Quebec to Shields with timber in September, 1853, heavy gales and sleet all the way, lost our boats, and spent our canvas, and at end of eight weeks hove-to with a south-east gale for five days, and drove down on the west of Shetland.

"The first land that we made was Foula, bearing 5 miles south-east. I then persuaded the captain, and we squared away before the wind and came around Fethaland, and got into Lady Voe, Westsandwick, Yell, at 8 p.m. next night, and not a biscuit for three days. So I have good reason to remember Foula.

"I wish I could send a 'fiver', but I enclose 10s., and if every native out here would do likewise it would make a help, as I know a lot of people here, having stopped in Gossabrough, East Yell, for 16 years."

HARBOUR ACCOMMODATION FOR FOULA

From The Scotsman 23/09/1907

September 18, 1907.

SIR, - Our island is the most inaccessible of the Shetland group, lying sixteen miles from nearest Post Office. Its greatest length from north to south is 3 miles, and breadth 21/2 miles. Like most of these outlying islands, it is almost surrounded by precipitous cliffs, the “Kame,” said to be the highest in the British Isles, towering 1260 feet above sea level. Here myriads of sea fowl annually build their nests. Inland, on the “Sneug,” 1372 feet, is the nesting place of the Great Skua (famous Bonxie), and woe betide the intruder who encroaches on his domains. “From the centre all round to the sea he is lord of the fowl and the brute.”

The population, about 220, of the crofting and fisherman class, live on the east side, which is comparatively lower, and in the centre lies the Voe of Ham or landing place. This is only a small creek, and affords but little shelter to any craft other than open boats, which must be hauled up far above high-water mark.

Appeals have often been made to the Government to provide a boat shelter, but without success until this summer, when the secretary and the chief engineer from the Congested Districts Board visited the island. and handed me a copy of the letter sent to Zetland County Council offering 75 per cent of the estimated cost of constructing a pier on the usual condition that the remaining 25 per cent be raised locally, meaning £200.

Owing to the straitened circumstances of the inhabitants, it was found necessary to make an appeal to the public for assistance, and a local committee having been formed, with myself as convener. I went to the Mainland, where the leading gentlemen, including Sheriff Broun, J. B. Anderson, convener of the County Council; and Provost Goudie of Lerwick, generously responded, raising our pier fund to over £60. This includes £10 from our landlord, Mr Holbourn, and £11 given in small sums by the inhabitants.

Foula has not shared in the benefits derived from the herring fishing through the want of a safe landing place, and the white fishing having now proved a failure, the outlook is black indeed.

Any subscriptions for this deserving object will be thankfully received and acknowledged by Mr R. B. Hunter, honorary treasurer, Union Bank of Scotland, Lerwick, Shetland, or your humble servant,

ROBERT GEAR, Convener of Local Committee, Foula.

FOULA PIER.

From The Scotsman 29/02/1908

Foula, Shetland, February 24, 1908.

SIR, - It appears to me that generous people outside the islands, who would like to help those less favoured than themselves that are in poor circumstances, have not been made fully aware of how great the need of a pier really is to the inhabitants of this remote and often inaccessible island, as the following facts will show:-

On 29^th December last the mail, which is supposed to run fortnightly in winter, was landed at the island, and the next and last mail was landed on 9^th February, so that there were over six weeks in which our communication and supplies were cut off: and when the boat did arrive, all it could carry – a few bolls of meal – leaves us now as badly off as before, and even worse, having nothing to fall back on, what seed remained from last year’s crop being already used in many cases.

But had we had a pier this would not have happened, because the empty boat could have been safely floated and made the trip to Walls and back again before 24^th January, when it did go; but the heavy surf on the beach, as is often the case in winter, prevented any ballast being taken in there with no place to haul out to and take it on board. Scarcely a season passes without the same thing taking place, and not infrequently it happens that when the boat has returned, deeply laden, it is the greatest danger and risk to effect a landing for the same reason, - I am, &c. ROBERT GEAR, Convener of Foula Pier Committee.

THE ISLAND OF FOULA.

From The Scotsman, 13th April 1910

Mr CATHCART WASON asked the Lord Advocate whether he was aware that as far back as 1883 the Crofters Commission recommended that the island of Foula should be provided with a pier for the benefit of the islanders, that within the last few years the Permanent Under Secretary for Scotland visited the island, and that a substantial grant was promised by the Scottish Congested Districts Board for the construction of a pier: that a subscription was started to enable the islanders to find the necessary quota to enable the said grant to be available, to which fund the landlord subscribed; that since then the landlord had refused his consent to the scheme; and whether, in consequence of such refusal, if the islanders refused to pay further rent, the country would be put to the cost of evicting the islanders and finding them maintenance elsewhere.

The LORD ADVOCATE – I am aware that there have been local differences in regard to the matter referred to, though I cannot accept my hon. friend’s statement as correct on all points. It is impossible for me to discuss what may happen in hypothetical circumstances.

FOULA PIER CONTROVERSY.

From The Scotsman 15/04/1910

Mr CATHCART WASON (L., Orkney and Shetland) asked the Lord Advocate if he could state in what respect the Scottish Office did not accept as accurate the statements that as far back as 1883 the Crofters Commission recommended that Foula should be provided with a pier for the benefit of the islanders – that within the last few years the landlord subscribed to a fund which was being raised to enable the islanders to secure the grant intimated by the Congested Districts Board; that the landlord also was elected to the County Council to further the scheme: and that when the County Council were prepared to undertake the work the landlord refused the consent which it was implied was already given.

The LORD ADVOCATE – I am unable to accept any of my honourable friend’s statements as accurate.

Captain CRAIG (U., East Down) – Where does the right hon. gentleman intend to spend the Whitsuntide recess this time? (Laughter.)

Mr CATHCART WASON asked whether the right hon. gentleman could say if any one of the statements in the question were in any way inaccurate.

The LORD ADVOCATE – No, sir; I cannot.

Mr WASON – Of course you cannot. (Laughter.)

A PIER AT FOULA

From The Scotsman 19/04/1910

Mr CATHCART WASON (L., Orkney and Shetland) asked the Lord Advocate if his attention had been directed to the report by the Commissioners of Inquiry appointed in 1883 to consider the condition of the crofters and cottars in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, with special reference to a pier at Foula, and in view of the facts that the Congested Districts Board had intimated a considerable grant towards the work, and that the County Council of Zetland had had the matter under its consideration, would he inquire of the County Council on whom rested the responsibility for the delay.

The LORD ADVOCATE – I am aware of the observations relative to a suggestion for a boat shelter at Foula in the report referred to. The offer of a grant was strictly conditional. The conditions have not been fulfilled, and the Congested Districts Board have no means of enforcing them. I am unable to see that the course suggested by my hon. friend would fulfil any useful purpose.

FOULA PIER

The Scotsman, 19th July 1910

Mr CATHCART WASON (L., Orkney and Shetland) said the hon. member for Argyllshire had struck the keynote of the policy required when he said that they should try to keep these people on the land. He appealed to the Government to help the people on Foula to acquire a site for a pier. They had subscribed the statutory amount required by the Congested Districts Board, and the Board had given a subsidy, but the landlord refused to give the site unless he was guaranteed against future loss. A small sum of money would enable the County Council to give the landlord the guarantee he required.

A DEEP PROBLEM

Mr A. F. WHYTE (L., Perth) joined in the appeal for exceptional treatment for what was undoubtedly a highly exceptional case. The problem went deeper than any administrative action; it was a problem which had its roots both in the nature of the land and in the nature of the population. There was an old story that the Outer Islands were created late on Saturday night of the week of Creation, when the materials were running low, and when the Creator Himself was tired. (Laughter.) The crux of the question, he continued, was that the Central Office insisted upon the imposition of burdens of civilisation upon a very poor community, and was not prepared to stretch out a helping hand to assist the community in carrying the burdens.

PIER FOR ISLAND OF FOULA.

The Scotsman, 1st January 1912

The difficulty in connection with the erection of a pier at the remote island of Foula still remains. The proprietor is prepared to give a free site, but the question of the upkeep of the structure presents a rather serious problem. The County Council cannot see its way to undertake the responsibility, even although Mr Cathcart Wason, M.P., and several other gentlemen (including the proprietor of the island himself) have offered to provide a fund of £100 to be set aside for the purpose. It has been decided to make application to the Local Government Board to have Foula formed into a separate district as a rateable area, for the erection of a pier, but it is doubtful whether the application will be successful.

FOULA PIER

The Scotsman, 20th December 1913

The long-delayed pier at the island of Foula is at length to be proceeded with, the Mainland District of the Shetland County Council having decided to become undertakers for its erection. This removes the last difficulty; and it only remains for the Committee to accept a tender for the work – a Government grant of £750 having already been obtained. The amount collected locally and otherwise now exceeds £250.

Party of Islanders setting off for the Mainland from the original Pier in c.1946

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