EARNING A LIVING

The main industries on Stroma were crofting, fishing and boatbuilding.

"In common with most people who lived on Stroma we relied on crofting and fishing for our livelihood."
Jessie Crowe from 'Strorna' edited by D, Young (primary source)

"Being an island, fishing was the main industry.'
William J. Sinclair
from 'Stroma' edited by D. Young
(primary source)

Fishing was an all year job and all types were employed, i.e. lobster fishing, herring fishing, cod fishing and halibut fishing. Cod fishing continued all year round, weather permitting. Halibut line fishing usually took place in the summer due to the correct bait being difficult to acquire in winter; the herring caught was used as bait for other fishing. The lobsters and crabs were caught in handmade creels; the lobsters, which were a luxury food, were boxed and sent to Billingsgate market in London. However there were high casualties among the catch, and it wasn't a reliable source of income-

After a fishing trip the catch was divided equally into piles for each member of crew, to ensure they got their fair share. Large quantities of cod were caught in summer and salted; these were often sold to merchants in Wick.

"Stroma 'hard' fish was a much sought after commodity."'

Jessie Crowe
from'Stroma'edited by D. Young
(primary source)

The other main industry on Stroma was crofting, but as fishing was the principal means of support, crofting came second.

" a considerable amount of croftwork....... had to be done by the women folk whilst the men were fishing."

Jessie Crowe
by 'Stroma' edited by D. Young
(primary source)

The average croft size was ten acres of mainly arable land and each typically had 2 cows, 2 sheep, a horse, a pig and 20 hens. Oats, bere, hay, potatoes and turnips were the main crops grown along with vegetables in the garden. There was a click mill powered by a river for grinding corn.

The cow provided milk which was used to make butter, crowdie, cheese or cream. The hens produced eggs, extra could be exchanged for groceries at the shop. The pig was fattened through the year and slaughtered at Christmas for the year ahead. Similarly, the sheep were slaughtered just before harvest to give fresh supplies of mutton. Finally, the lambs were either bought or shipped to the mainland to - appear at the marts.

Stroma was renowned for it's shipbuilding industry.

"A Stroma built boat was regarded as the best, and safest model that one could buy, similar to a trademark nowadays."
'
William J. Sinclair
from 'Stroma' edited by D. Young
(primary source)

The Stroma yawls were all built to the same design and came in 12 foot, 14 foot or 18 foot models. Generally the 12 foot boats were for inshore lobster fishing, the 14 foot boats for cod fishing and the 18 foot boats for taking cattle to the mainland, carrying peat and coal to Stroma and also for cod fishing in stormy weather.

The woodwork of the yawls was all made by the Stroma carpenters but the ironwork was made in the smithy at Huna. Once engines were introduced a man from Glasgow had to come up to install them. These yawls were sold to fishermen in Caithness, Orkney and some to the West Coast.

Conclusion:

Stroma boasted many successful industries, which meant plenty of jobs for the islanders and also provided the people with virtually everything they could need. These industries all relied greatly on mainland buyers, especially the boat building; which also needed the skills of mainland smithies to complete a yawl as this could not be done on the island.

From the above information I would say that the Stroma industries were very successful but they would not have been so successful if they did not trade with the mainland.