Vivid descriptions that transport us to our favourite places
WICK VOICES: Doreen Leith gives an update on the work of the Wick Society's online oral history project
Whether listening to Wick Voices triggers memories of happy days spent exploring the spectacular coastline or sandy beaches of Caithness or provides the inspiration to investigate some of the hidden gems of the county, the oral history collection is a treasure trove of stories and descriptions that can stir powerful emotions and transport us to our favourite places.
“We live in such an amazing landscape,” says Chris Aitken as he talks with infectious enthusiasm about his Keiss childhood, going fishing with his grandad, climbing on sand dunes, jumping in the sea, camping on the beach, exploring the coast, setting bonfires and finding messages in bottles.
John Gunn from Lybster has travelled extensively across the world, as a civil engineer and as an intrepid explorer. His interest in travel was kindled through listening to stories told by teachers and neighbours. His love of Caithness is apparent throughout the interview as he says: “There are worse places in the world than Caithness.”
Davy Nicolson looks after the Whaligoe Steps. He lives close by and regularly acts as unofficial tour guide, telling visitors from all over the world about the history of this unique site and its special place in the history of the Caithness fishing industry. His Wick Voices interview has proved to be extremely popular with both locals and tourists and has inspired many people to visit the steps.
John O’Groats is possibly the most popular visitor attraction in Caithness and you can listen to Walter Mowat retell the story of Jan de Groot, who ran a ferry from mainland Scotland to Orkney in the 15th century. Walter explains the significance of the eight-sided buildings in both the hotel (now the John O’Groats Inn) and his own shop, First and Last, and the link to Jan de Groot and his family. Walter also talks about the history of the ice house, the signpost, the granary (John O’Groats knitwear) and the John O’Groats ferry.
Although Caithness Seacoast is closed for the 2020 season due to Covid-19, you can listen to William and Adelaine Munro, owners of the business, describe exhilarating, family-friendly coastal sightseeing tours on the RIB Geo Explorer and talk about some of the main attractions to the north and south of the town. They also highlight the sheer diversity of the scenery and historic sites between Keiss and Lybster.
A frightening encounter with a shark and being surrounded by killer whales are among the highlights of Martin Gill’s many adventures off the Caithness coast. In his recording he talks about some of the highs and lows he has experienced in more than 3500 dives.

“I loved all the colours and I loved the cold,” he says of his introduction to diving when in his early twenties, after being trained to a high standard. “I really enjoyed feeling the different environment.
"When you head below the waves it’s just you and nature… Our coastline is absolutely sublime.”
Martin also reveals how he discovered a hidden cave near Whaligoe and describes it very vividly.
Artist Lisa Weller (Haven House Art) says: “I fell in love with Caithness and I never went home.”
She explains how the landscape, the sea, the quality of light and the “hidden gems” of Caithness have inspired her work since she moved to the county in 2011. As well as painting, Lisa writes short stories and poems and loves to explore out-of-the-way spots with her camera.
Wick Voices can be accessed freely at www.wickheritage.org
Face-to-face oral history interviews are not an option for Wick Voices volunteers at the moment but we are exploring alternative ways of using technology to encourage people to make their own recordings. If you have an interesting story you would like to share, please contact wickvoices@icloud.com
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