Seafarers and land lubbers will find something to treasure in new Caithness photo book
If you look at Caithness on a map you will see that it is shaped like a triangle, writes Jim Miller. Two of the three sides are bounded by the sea, and it is therefore appropriate that in this year’s Let’s Remember Caithness our coasts emerge as a theme.
There are spreads on the ferries across the Pentland Firth, the Duncansby shores and the Pentland Canoe Club, as well as individual pictures with a maritime touch. These include an image of Lybster harbour and photos of two vessels that came to grief in Sinclair’s Bay – one got away, and the other did not. You’ll need to get the book to learn more.
We are also delighted to have a spread on the John O’Groats Mill which is just starting on a major restoration adventure and promises to become a prime heritage attraction on the north coast.
It is good to see another part of our tremendous collection of traditional vernacular buildings find a new use that will halt the all-too-common decay we see around the place.
Of course, life on land has not been forgotten, with a spread on ploughing matches and individual photos of rural scenes. And urban life, as well, with pictures capturing moments from galas and many other occasions over the years.
As Ally Budge, guest author of this year’s introduction, says: “Each photograph captures a moment in time, providing a visual record of people, places, events … Sometimes these details are central to the image [but] ... it is sometimes minor details in the background of the image which are of particular interest.”
We trust there are plenty of details, so to speak, “hidden” in the background in the many photos here, especially in the group photos of folk enjoying themselves at dinners and parties, that will arouse memories, raise a smile or a wry thought, and generally entertain.
“The images offer insights into changes in Caithness people, architecture, fashion, technology, and landscape over time,” says Ally. “They deserve to be studied carefully – they truly are a return ticket to our past.”
We have marked a few anniversaries. Folk will hardly credit that 30 years have passed since the Post Office in Thurso moved from its original location to the Co-op. It is also 30 years since Wick Academy joined the Highland League. We celebrate these milestones.
And we make up for missing another important anniversary last year. It was back in 1854, 170 years ago, that Pennyland farm became the birthplace of Sir William Smith who went on to found the Boys’ Brigade in Glasgow in 1883. So, here, arguably one year behind, we celebrate the Boys’ Brigade and the fact that the Sir William Smith Memorial Hall in Thurso is the BB Museum for all the UK.
This is Volume 6 in the Let’s Remember Caithness series. If you think you have photos like those in the book – or even better – secreted away in albums and cupboards, dig them out and get them ready for the spring when, all being well, we shall start work on Volume 7.
We are of course immensely grateful to everyone who sends us pictures. Sometimes we are unable to use them for technical or copyright reasons – newspaper cuttings for example can be problematic, and digital photos can also present technical difficulties – but we do like to see everything. And we do take care to keep them safe until we can return them to you. If you have any questions, contact us first. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this year’s collection.
• Let’s Remember Caithness (£17.99) is available in shops now. They can also be ordered (subject to P&P) by calling 01463 233059.
Local stockists include: Lybster Post Office; Dunbeath Post Office; Malcolms Newsagent in Wick; The Gift House, Wick; Newsbeat, Thurso; Cards N Things, Thurso; First & Last, John O’Groats; John O'Groats Post Office; Castletown Butchers; Coo's Tail Gallery, Thurso; Serendipity, Thurso; Keystore Express, Wick; Halkirk Post Office; J & A Mackay, Thurso; Splurge, Halkirk.