And sheep gate fastenings

To follow up the last post on sheep gates in the Western Isles, Scotland, I have closed in and put together a selection photographs illustrating how these gates are fastened. Their hinges, locks, and make-do tie-ups have as much, if not more, variety and colour than the gates themselves.

The detail in their colour, form and texture, their patina, shows many years of wear and tear. And this is just a very small sample, there are thousands more out there. Fascinating.

Hebridean sheep gates

While in the Western Isles of Scotland last summer, June, my eye was attracted to the variety of gates used to manage the sheep. These are an important part of the island economy, for their wool is used in the manufacture of Harris tweed, a most wonderful and enduring fabric. The gates are quite unique in their narrow width, sheep width, not the more standard five-bar gate wide dimensions. Then there is their material; wood or metal, their colour; rusty red or old grey, and their condition; which reflects their age range and patina. All good patina, can never be faked.

There is no need to know where I found my selection, but if you go over to the islands, be sure to look out for a selection of your own. Some of their locations are in stunningly beautiful surroundings too.