Rev. John Lane Buchanan
Western Isles, 1782

The common, as well as better sort of' people, court sweet-hearts at nights, over all this country. The unlocked doors yield those lovers but too easy access to their favourites. The natural consequences of their encounters often occasion squabbles in kirk courts, in which the minister and elders take cognizance of the fornication committed in the parish.

This severity, however, is not often productive of the amendment pretended to be designed. I say pretended, for many instances, who are least shrewdly suspected of lewdness, as well as intemperance themselves, are the severest and most curious and prying inquisitors into the failings of others.

In the part of the country we are describing, however, this frailty still pervails . . bastard is as much esteemed as the lawfully begotten child.

The woman if' she is pregnant by a gentleman, is by no means looked down upon, but is provided in a husband with greater eclat than without forming such a connection. lnstead of being despised, numberless instances can be produced, where pregnant women have been disputed for, and even fought for, by different suitors.

Martin Martin
Western Isles, c. I 695

[In St.Kilda] it is ordinary with a fowler, after he has got his purchase of fowls, to pluck the fattest, and carry it home to his wife as a mark of his affection; and this is called the rock fowl.

The bachelors do in like manner carry this rock-fowl to their sweethearts, and it is the greatest present they can make, considering the danger they run in acquiring it.

The richest man in the isle has not above eight cows, eighty sheep, and two or three horses. If a native here have but a few cattle he will marry a woman, though she have no other portion from her friends but a pound of horse hair to make a gin to catch fowls.

Halliday Sutherland
Isle of Lewis, 1933

Amongst the people of the black houses, there is a curious custom in courtship, and, like all primitive sex customs, it is based on economic conditions. The time for making love is during the long winter nights when the young men are at home. On that bleak windswept coast it would be difficult for two people to make love out of doors. So the young man goes to the girl's house. Again, with one living-room where the family are sitting, it is difficult to make love. The girl goes into the sleeping-room. There is no fire there, nor any light, because the burning of tallow candles and oil is a consideration to people who are poor. So, for warmth, the girl goes to bed. Once in bed, both her legs are inserted into one large stocking, which her mother ties above her knees. Then the young man goes into the sleeping-room, and lies beside her. It is called 'the bundling'.

Arthur Edmondston
Shetland, 1809

When a courtship is somewhat advanced, the lover pays a visit to his mistress on Saturday night, and generally remains a day or two in the house. This is considered as an open avowal of.his intentions, and it is occasionally repeated until the marriage ceremony gives to his arms the object of his choice. The weddings generally take place in the winter time, and as the guests come from a distance, the entertainment sometimes lasts for several days in succession.

*Source - Scottish Customs
From the Cradle to the Grave
by Margaret Bennett

This book can be purchased in the Scottish Radiance bookshelf section on History books.

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