Men cut peat in nude for charity

The islanders posed cutting peat using traditional skills and with the aid of modern machinery Enlarge Image

A group of islanders from Lewis in the Outer Hebrides have posed cutting peat in the nude for a charity calendar.

Jock Murray came up with the idea as something to do in his retirement and to raise funds for Leukaemia Research.

The black and white photographs of the men carrying baskets of cut peat and driving tractors were shot by John MacLean, also from Lewis.

Mr Murray , from Gress, said he has had orders from Australia and plans to take a consignment on a trip to Las Vegas.

He said: "I couldn't care less what people think if I am mad or not.

"The problem when one retires is finding something to do.

"Eventually, I came up with this idea to raise money for Leukaemia Research in Glasgow, where a member of my family is being treated for this illness."

Hard work

He added: "I couldn't have chosen a more controversial way of doing this, especially on the Isle of Lewis, but I love a challenge."

Mr Murray said he picked the peat-cutting theme because many young islanders and some of those who had left the Outer Hebrides did not appreciate the hard work that went into gathering the fuel.

As well as taking orders from Australia and New Zealand, he is due to head for Las Vegas on 10 November for "four days of gambling" when he will be taking more calendars requested by friends.