THE “tattie holidays” are a poignant and nostalgic reminder of tough times and different challenges facing the nation ("School summer holidays branded a relic of past that hinder learning", The Herald, May 8). During the Second World War food controllers realised we could not rely on importing 70 per cent of our food due to the U-boat blockade. The potato crop was at the forefront of the food campaign.

On the east coast vital healthy seed potatoes were produced for potato farmers throughout the country. It was a real challenge to safely store the seed in “pits” before the winter weather. The answer: school children and the “tattie holidays”.

Ladies from the church guild in Dundee tell me how they would go to school and get a bus to the wilds of Forfar. Lunch, at a local rural school was part of the deal as was “boilin” to take home. It was hard but they glowed telling the stories. The meagre wage was collected by “mither” and put by for a school coat or new shoes. There was always a bit left over and a pat on the head for the child.

Today I visit nursery and primary schools in Perth, Kinross and Fife with the Royal Highland Education Trust, as part of a team informing how food, in this case potatoes, get from field to plate. I hesitate at harvest pictures comparing now and then and there is usually one child recounting Granny’s tale or a teacher who advises of a sore back but yet a memorable experience with pay.

I suspect there were many children in the past who thrived on these experiences and thought there must be a better way. We just need to look at the progress with machines and technology today. The downside is there are far fewer jobs for youngsters on the farm today.

John Marshall,

36 High Road,

Auchtermuchty,

Fife.