The Guga Hunters of Ness

[Seoras]

This programme was aired last night on BBC2 Scotland.

A lot of people on this site will enjoy this programme.

Maybe if I had not left the island at 16 I may have gone with my Uncles on the Hunt.

Enjoy The Guga Hunters of Ness

George

 

[locum76]

The whole trip away from the island, catching the birds, camping on the beach thing is all good. But eating fermented seabird, really? I remain to be convinced that it'd taste good but I suppose I'd have to try it once.

 

[Tengu]

Come Seoras! There may still be hope for you!

 

[Toddy]

Excellent link, thanks Seoras

It's an insight to a mostly forgotten harvest that helped support families for millenia.

atb,
M

 

[Bigfoot]

It's regarded as a delicacy but it's an er, acquired taste

 

[locum76]

An old Joke...

Guga is boiled and the rich, oily meat is traditionally eaten with potatoes and a glass of milk. An old joke goes: 'To best enjoy guga, boil it with a stone. Boil it until the stone is tender. And then eat the stone.'

Rob

 

[Ronnie]

Brilliant film. Shame they didn't show the nitty-gritty of the butchering. Gannets have been my favourite bird since I was a child, but I'd still support this annual hunt.

 

[Tengu]

I love them too.

And I bet they taste great.

 

[Mikey P]

I thought it was a really interesting film. In terms of social anthropology, I can see that being shown in 20-30 years time as part of a series on how old traditions have died out in the islands of Scotland.

As the guy said, once the boat is knacked, it's highly likely that the tradition will die with it.

God, though - that salted guga looked minging.

 

[Seoras]

I hope you enjoyed the programme folks?

My wife Alison makes me cook the Guga outdoors (she is English) but I insist the kids eat it and they love it.

Cheers

George

 

[v-ness]

Watched it last night on the iPlayer.

Really enjoyed it, I love the glimpses into other peoples lives these type of programms give you.
And the accent makes me smile

Shame that the tradition will probably die out within those guys lifetime.

Cheers
Ness

 

[Satyr]

Did'nt Gordon Ramsay have this on one of his programs? I'm sure his head waiter/maitre' d spat is out when he served it to him. (Into his knapkin and tried to hide it)

 

[Ronnie]

I'm not convinced that this tradition is in a rush to die out. Even if the Heather Isle is decommissioned, I'd expect the community to come together and either buy her out, or find some other suitable transport out to Ness.

It all depends on the political will to keep the guga quota intact. As far as I can see, this film was positively received. I'm not sure what the tabloid press have been saying about it, because I don't read them.

 

[Seoras]

All the lads who take part are keen that the tradition carries on.

I do hope that where there is a will there will be a way.

George

 

[Tengu]

 

[Stew]

I'll watch this tomorrow, I think.