I agree that killing seals in front of their mothers is cruel, but how pertinent is it to Orkney history, tradition, and lore in the current context? Anne Slater

On 22 October 2004 11:43, STRONSAY2@cs.com wrote: > I agree that killing seals in front of their mothers is cruel, but how > pertinent is it to Orkney history, tradition, and lore in the current > context? Anne Slater It's an interesting one this. Killing seals - unless absolutely necessary and then only for "personal consumption" - was always regarded as extremely unlucky, an act that was sure to invite retribution from the "hidden powers". The sanctioned Government culls, however, went on until the late 70s, when an outcry put an end to them. Strangely enough there's something about it in this week's From our Files on The Orcadian website. Came across it in 1979. -- Sigurd Towrie Blackhall - Kirbister - Stromness - Orkney Heritage of Orkney: www.orkneyjar.com Home: sigurd@orkneyjar.com Work: sigurd.towrie@orcadian.co.uk