(fthe Shetland Islands, S45 
The Haqf is a name applied to any fishing-ground on the 
outside of the coast, where ling, cod, or tusk may be caught. 
Not much above a century ago, the fishery for ling and cod 
was prosecuted much nearer shore than it is now, and fishing 
places, designated Raiths^ were pointed out by certain land- 
marks called Meiths, so that every one knew his own raith, and 
any undue encroachment upon it was considered no less illegal 
and actionable, than if it had been upon a landed inclosure. 
The fishermen, however, at the present day, find it their interest 
to seek for ling at a much greater distance, even to the extent 
of thirty or forty miles. 
The men employed at the Haaf are from eighteen years of 
age and upwards. Six tenants join in a boat, their landlords 
importing for them frames ready modelled and cut out in Nor- 
way, which, when put together, form a yawl of six oars^ from 
18 to 19 feet in keel, and six in beam ; it is also furnished with 
a square sail. 
On the 25th of May, or on the 1st of June, the fishermen 
repair to their several stations. They either endeavour, with 
rod and line, to procure for bait the fry of the coalfish, of the 
age of twelve months, named Piltocks, or they obtain at the ebb 
mussels and limpets ; and then going out to sea six miles or 
more, lay their lines for haddocks, and after obtaining a suffi- 
cient supply of these fish, reserve them for bait. 
The Feideland Haaf being 30 or 40 miles from land, the 
fishermen endeavour to leave their station in the morning of one 
day, so as to be enabled to return in the course of the day fol- 
lowing. And if, owing to' boisterous weather, they have suffer- 
ed long detention in their lodges, the first boat that is launched 
induces every weather-bound crew to imitate the example ; it is, 
therefore, no unusual circumstance to see, in a fleet of yawls, all 
sails set, and all oars plied, nearly at the same instant of time. 
Each boat, in the first turn that it makes, observes the course of 
the sun, and then strives to be the first which shall arrive at 
the fishing station. 
Some few of the fishermen, during their voyage, supersti- 
tiously forbear to mention in any other name than one that is 
Norse, or in some arbitrary word of their own coinage, substi- 
voi.. VI. NO. 12. APRIL 1822, R 
