Centenary of Women’s Land Army to be marked

The Women’s Land Army (WLA) will take centre stage within the Royal Highland Show’s exhibition garden.

Marking the centenary of the WLA’s inception, the display will celebrate the efforts of women in maintaining agricultural production in Scotland during the First World War and beyond.

The Women’s Land Army was formed in 1917 in response to an acute labour shortage on farms due to the huge numbers of men conscripted into the armed forces.

In commemoration, the exhibit, which will be housed in the grounds of the Countryside Cottage at Ingliston, will focus on the formation of the WLA and its origins, as well as its links with allotments, the WRI and other organisations.

It will explore the role of women on farms in 1917, how they dealt with unfamiliar machinery, equipment and livestock, and will exhibit examples of the types of clothes and workwear they wore and knitted, such as balaclavas, socks and mitts.

In addition to agriculture, the WLA also provided support to the forestry, munitions and engineering sectors, fundamentally changing the role of women in agricultural research, managerial positions, advisory services and farming.

The success of the Land Army led to its continued deployment in the Second World War and contribution to the war effort.

A short film for show visitors will outline this agricultural history, as well as aspects of food production, rationing, Suffragettes and bondagers.

The Royal Highland Show takes place from June 22 to 25.

The Women’s Land Army was formed in 1917.