George Paterson’s byre
Photograph of George Paterson’s byre at Crossapol in the 1930s.
Courtesy of Mrs Mairi Campbell
George Paterson and Archie Kennedy were photographed milking cows in George’s cattle byre at Crossapol in the 1930s. The byre was white-washed every year and housed up to ten cows which were mainly Ayrshire and Shorthorns.
The cows were put out to graze in the summer and brought in twice a day to be milked. In winter they were kept inside. The family made butter which they sold as well as milk, and also made cheese for their private use.
Until thirty or so years ago crofters commonly kept a milking cow for their own use. Very few do so now, and with the changes in the law regarding ‘raw’ milk, all milk for sale is imported into the island.
Black and white photograph of George Paterson`s cattle byre at Crossapol in the 1930s.
George Paterson and Archie Kennedy milking cows in George`s cattle byre at Crossapol in the 1930s.