Woven baskets or creels were widely used in the Highlands. The baskets or creels, like the one in the photograph, were often woven from willow because of its flexibility. Baskets were used for a variety of jobs which involved transporting goods. A creel such as this one may have been used to carry peat from the moor to the house. The basket would be fastened onto a woman's back by a heather strap around her chest. The baskets were strong and great weights could be carried in them.
Click to enlarge the image, read the text then answer the following questions.
Questions
- Describe what a 'creel' looks like?
- Why was willow used?
- What evidence in this source backs up the claim that 'much heavy domestic work was done by women'?