BBC 2 Scotland will be showing a programme next Thursday entitled ‘The Guga Hunters of Ness’ , following the annual expedition of ten Ness men to Sula Sgeir to catch Guga, the only sanctioned hunt of gannet allowed in the EU, a privilege that has recently come under renewed attack from animal rights groups.
Being half Niseach myself, I have been lucky enough to try the bird, sadly I appear to be missing the half that allows me to enjoy it. However the craving for adolescent gannet (rather than baby, as it is often incorrectly referred to) is still strong in Ness, and the above photo no doubt has some Niseachs salivating and reaching for their Guga pot, boiled potatoes and glass of milk.
For more information on the Guga hunt and the programme, and for a video of how it was made, check out the following link. Better still, why not take a trip up to Comunn Eachdraidh Nis where you find information on the Guga hunters in their newly accredited museum.
