Peat.
It's my fault entirely that this wasn't posted in a timely fashion to coincide with Michael Buchanan's report last Wednesday. This was how I introduced it:
"We know from our online credit crunch map that rising fuel costs are being felt most keenly in rural areas.
Owning a car is often not an option and remoteness from the gas network often means having to rely on coal or heating oil for cooking and heating. The Western Isles for instance is estimated to have the highest levels of fuel poverty in the country, and - its claimed - among the world's most expensive diesel. How to help rural communities is being debated as we speak by the Scottish Parliament. Reporting for PM live from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Michael Buchanan".
At the time, Michael sent these phoos and words:
"The soaring cost of fuel has lead to dozens of islanders returning to the ancient tradition of peat cutting. This is the first year the MacLeod family have been on the moors, and they're going to offset some of their heating costs with peat this winter. Paul says he's having a blast, while Norman - who does the hard work - can't stand it.
Calum used to cut peats as a child, and says he's quite enjoying remembering the old habit.
Many of the new peat-cuting irons are made by blacksmith Calum MacLeod. The shop has been in his family since 1920 and for decades the irons were a staple order, with over 100 being produced annually. Two years ago however, Calum only made 6 and he thought the day would come when he wouldn't make any. But this year, he says, he lost count after he'd made 50. Making a tarasgeir - as they're known in Gaidhlig - is not the most interesting task says Calum or indeed the most profitable - each sells for £30.
Finally a little treat for those in the south of Britain who've been deluged over recent days.
They've had 6 glorious weeks of weather here on Lewis, and the island is looking glorious. If you can cope with paying over £6 for a gallon of diesel, come on up!"
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