Harvest Home

Back at the end of November we had our Harvest Home. It is a non-religious harvest celebration, with a supper, and dancing which is held in parishes across Orkney from October to November.  These days Graemsay's harvest is largely silage and fodder for cattle and sheep for the winter. All the community come along, and many take part in the preparations in one way or another. Above folk tucking into their soup and rolls at the start of the meal. As you can see we got quite a few into our wee hall!

James found a way to amuse himself while waiting for dinner to begin! Older sister Katie is equally amused. Erm.... the tins of beer belong to the adults, not the kids!

The meal consisted of a lovely carrot and corriander soup with rolls, cold meats, clapshot (tatties and neeps mashed together with lots of butter. Um... that's potatoes and swede to the non-Scottish among us!), vegetables, new potatoes, and gravy.  Dessert was chocolate trifle with a good slug of rum in it! Then there was tea and coffee, after dinner mints, and homebakes while everyone relaxed after the meal and the speaker gave a short speech.

This year we were delighted to have local vet and accomplished musician, Andy Cant, come along and speak to us.  Very entertaining it was too, with quite a few stories to tell as you can imagine.

After all the tables were cleared away it was time for music.  John Budge, friend of the island from Walls on the island of Hoy was over and played the accordion.  Andy played the fiddle....

There was dancing too, of course.....

Later Sam, from Hoy set up the keyboard and joined in with the music.....

Young and old join in the evening......

And the dancing gets a bit wilder as the night progresses. I can't imagine why. Hee hee!