Baskets have been made in Scotland since prehistoric times. In the Shetland Islands, a distinctive type of multi-purpose basket, the "kishie," developed generations ago. Kishies were adaptable: Shetlanders used them to carry peat and potatoes, sow oats, and carry goods to and from markets. Harvests were often calculated by "kishie-fills." Although made for heavy daily use, kishie- makers took great pride in their craft.

Kishies are usually made with a fettel (strap), which allows them to be worn on a worker's back, leaving his or her hands free. In olden days, kishies were made in pairs and hung across the backs of Shetland ponies with a meshie net. Kishies are made from an archaic strain of Shetland black oats (Avena strigosa), which is bundled in hjogs and held in place with simmins (two-stranded homemade string).

Ewen Balfour learned kishie-making from master Shetland basket-maker and tradition-keeper Lowrie Copland. Although today kishies are not commonly used for farm work, a renewed interest in basket-making and Shetland culture has inspired many people to collect them and kishie-making workshops have been held in Shetland. In addition to kishie-making, Ewen Balfour is active in many other aspects of Shetland culture and has held the honored post of Guizer Jarl during annual Up-Helly-A' celebrations in his home community of Brae.

—This young Shetlander learned to make kishie baskets (a backpack-type basket) from Lowrie Coupland, the last traditional basket maker in Shetland. In addition to being a dedicated artisan, he is also crofter, a former Guiser Jarl at the Up-Helly- A, and an enthusiastic spokesperson about everything Shetland.