Rustic Food

In a Scottish farmer’s house all the butcher meat used was commonly part of a fatted animal in winter. Some thrifty Scots killed and salted such of the stock as could not survive the winter. Entertainments to the neighbours were very rare. Ale, except with a few, or on certain occasions, was to be found in the tavern only. Cheese was very bad. Cream, too long kept, and purified by
drawing off the thin part, or wig, as it was called, for drink, was converted into butter by the operation of the hand. And the ordinary diet of farmer and servant may be described by the questions:

1. Have you got your porridge, or breakfast?
2. Have you got your sowens, or dinner?
3. Have you got your brose, or supper ?

Return To More Scottish Anecdotes