Creel-making and net-mending on show at Doors Open Days event in Wick

Creel-making and net-mending demonstrations were among highlights as the Wick Society hosted an open day at Cowie’s building in Bank Row.

Sunday's event was part of the national Doors Open Days programme, organised by the Scottish Civic Trust, on the theme of “living heritage”.

The refurbished Cowie's building, in a former fish-processing yard, was officially opened in July 2021 as a store for historic artefacts and other items that cannot be displayed in the nearby Wick Heritage Museum.

The creel and net demonstrations were given by retired fisherman James Bremner. Visitors were also shown how to splice ropes.

"It's a traditional industry that's still going on," said Mr Bremner's brother Malcolm, vice-chairman of the Wick Society.

Newly acquired shelving units were put to good use to showcase items ranging from old toys and camera equipment to biscuit tins from years gone by and a very early telephone.

Large-scale maps were also exhibited along with prints from the famous Johnston photographic collection.

Through three generations, the Johnston family amassed some 100,000 photographs – around 41,000 which are now available online at www.johnstoncollection.net

Malcolm said: "We acquired shelving which we're now putting extra artefacts on to show the public, and of course we've got the ever-popular Johnston prints.

"The ones that are on display here are not on display in the museum. We're trying to show more of what we've got."

There was also a set of much more recent photos showing the construction of the Beatrice offshore wind farm, which has its operations and maintenance base at Wick.

Malcolm pointed out: "In a few years' time that's history, and it's part of Wick harbour."

He explained that volunteers are in the process of cataloguing 50 to 60 crates of donated items.

"We're well through it but there's still a lot to do. However, we've got so many duplicates that we can't put them all on display."

John O'Groats Mill welcomed visitors on Saturday as part of Doors Open Days 2023.

John O’Groats Mill Trust is leading an ambitious project to bring the category “B” listed complex back into use as a heritage visitor attraction and community venue.

Development manager Bryony Robinson said: "Doors Open Day was a fantastic event again this year and the mill was busy with tours all day.

"Our volunteer guides did a great job of explaining the workings of the mill and its rich history, and visitors were able to get a last-chance look inside the mill prior to our works starting later this year.

"These works will repair and protect the original building while adding a new extension, allowing it to become a community hub and heritage visitor attraction."

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