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thirsaloon
23-Jun-07, 22:42
Two piccys folks for your viewing pleasure one of Andersons Ironmongers and one of Shore Street.


http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/Andersonironmongers.jpg

highlander
23-Jun-07, 23:42
Fantastic keep them coming, love seeing this old photos.

Sporran
24-Jun-07, 08:18
Thanks so much once again, thirsaloon! :) I too love seeing old photos from past eras! Do you have any dates for these, and do you have more to share with us, please?

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 15:54
Andersons the Ironmongers photograph was taken in 1911. The building was built as the first Masonic Lodge. It was said to be the most modern building of its time during construction of the newly laid out Traill Street, part of Sir John Sinclair’s plan for the new town of Thurso. The foundation stone was laid in 1808 and the building opened in 1810. It was later used as the Town Hall for a period.

The Shore Street photograph was taken around 1912. In the distance you will see the horse and cart which has a huge load on it. The Turnpike has a date stone on it with 1686 and a marriage stone with the initials D.W.K.R. This means that someone with the initials D.W. married someone with the initials K.R. There are a few of them around the town, like at the corners of Jessie Allan’s shop etc (I know it has a new name but I have yet to re-program my brain to accept it!). Always worth looking up rather than straight ahead or down, it’s surprising what’s there is to be seen!

Bt the way, did you notice the signwriting to the left of the middle window advertising "ammunition" for sale. There is a door upstairs which has from memory "ammunition room" or "artillery room" painted on the door and its still there yet.

Jeemag_USA
24-Jun-07, 15:58
Thanks for that, I can remember when I was wee and going shopping with my mum, Andersons was still there, it is now Buttress's I believe if that is still there, its been a while since I was in town.

Dynamic Sounds
24-Jun-07, 16:05
Seen these pictures of old Thurso, and in this week that the Viewfirth has been consigned to the quarry in the sky, thought I'd put this pick up

http://www.dynamicsoundsdisco.co.uk/gallery/viewclose/oldview.jpg

It is a scan of a picture that my grandfather had, but shows the place in its granduer.

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:13
Attached below are two photographs of Thurso Castle. This is the 3rd castle which was built at Thurso East. And the forth to have been built in Thurso.
Work on the castle in the photo's below was carried out between 1874 and 1876 when the previous castle was renovated by Sir Tollemache Sinclair.

The tower was 8 floors and 100 feet high but the founds were made for taking an tower 40 feet high therefore it was never going to last. By 1914 the tower had already started to lean and it was evacuated. Then a sea mine was washed ashore exploding, blowing out some of the windows. Although it was thought no structural damage was done. The castle then had to be abandoned in 1951 and the roof was removed the following year.

http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/ThursoCastle1920.jpg

http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/ThursoCastle1885.jpg

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:24
Another two piccys from 1911. Attached are photographs of W & G Dunnet cycle shop (where Mac Mowat served his apprenticeship) later to become Dunnets Garage and just along the road a wee bit was the Victoria Hairdressing Saloon. If you look in the foreground of the photo in front of the group of people at the cycle shop you will see some of the Thurso fish baskets that was used by fisherwomen to sell the latest catch from.

http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/WGDunnet.jpg

http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/VictoriaHairdressingSaloon_1.jpg

dunderheed
24-Jun-07, 16:29
Thanks for that, I can remember when I was wee and going shopping with my mum, Andersons was still there, it is now Buttress's I believe if that is still there, its been a while since I was in town.

i could be wrong but isn't that the chemists next to the central ?

helenwyler
24-Jun-07, 16:31
Thanks so much for your great piccies thirsaloon - I've never been to Thurso but am coming up early July to Caithness and it's great to see these!:)

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:35
Two piccys of the Royal Hotel. Built by Andrew Caskey when he noticed that Thurso was in need of a good coaching inn. The hotel had its own private well at the back, out of public view. I have been in to see it and although the well is no longer there you can still hear the water in the spring below the floor running past. In the same area is the old stables still intact and a flagstone table with a groove running around the outside edge where they would cut meat up and the blood would run into the groove and then into a bucket below. The hotel also had its own garden at the back where they grew their own veg for using.

http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/RoyalHotel1970s.jpg


http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/RoyalHotel.jpg

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:37
i could be wrong but isn't that the chemists next to the central ?


Yip it sure is Sutherlands Chemist next to the Central Hotel. ;)

dunderheed
24-Jun-07, 16:39
yeh it was the mention of it being built as a masonic hall that sealed it for me, plus the facia hasn't changed much

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:39
Thanks so much for your great piccies thirsaloon - I've never been to Thurso but am coming up early July to Caithness and it's great to see these!:)


No problem helenwyler, yer welcome!

Jeepers as a new member this is keeping me busy!!! Your right what you said Bobinovich! :lol:

gollach
24-Jun-07, 16:44
If you look in the foreground of the photo in front of the group of people at the cycle shop you will see some of the Thurso fish baskets that was used by fisherwomen to sell the latest catch from.

I remember my granny saying that when her father bought fish from one of the fisherwoman with the baskets that they had to follow him back to his house. Once she got to the house, the woman was expected to clean and gut the fish for the customer. Quite different from shooping nowadays when we buy fish that has been filleted for us already.

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:46
Attached is a photograph of Lindsays which im sure many of you remember. This photograph was taken in 1910. The building was newly built replacing the much older single story building. If I remember I will take a look for the older shop and post it.

http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/Lindsays1910.jpg

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:50
I remember my granny saying that when her father bought fish from one of the fisherwoman with the baskets that they had to follow him back to his house. Once she got to the house, the woman was expected to clean and gut the fish for the customer. Quite different from shooping nowadays when we buy fish that has been filleted for us already.

Aye that used to happen, The women used to sell the fish from the Meadow Well, Olrig Street, Town Hall Square, Royal Hotel Corner. Some of them, like my Great Granny used make her way to the "posh houses" in Princess Street, Campbell Street, Rose Street etc at the top of the town and sell them door to door.

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 16:56
Two views of Thurso, the one with the women in the foreground is around 1890 the other is around 1875. You will notice the women in the foreground are ready to collect water from the springs in the park. Hence the name Springpark!

http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/ThursofromSouth-West1900.jpg


http://www.caithness.org/photos/earlypictures/thurso/thurso1/Thursofromthewest1875.jpg

Jeemag_USA
24-Jun-07, 16:58
yeh it was the mention of it being built as a masonic hall that sealed it for me, plus the facia hasn't changed much

Good call, my memory is too bad, I seem to remember Andersons being further down the street. What was Buttress's before that then, I seem to remember it being an Ironmongers?

Also is that picture of Lindsays did it become Nappy Sinclairs, it kind of looks like it with its multiple doorways? Either that or is it what became Soutars, the one at the top of the precint across from Cardosi's?

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 17:03
Good call, my memory is too bad, I seem to remember Andersons being further down the street. What was Buttress's before that then, I seem to remember it being an Ironmongers?

Also is that picture of Lindsays did it become Nappy Sinclairs, it kind of looks like it with its multiple doorways? Either that or is it what became Soutars, the one at the top of the precint across from Cardosi's?


Hi Jeemag!

Aye, it became Soutars but was recently bought over, but forgot what name it goes under. Far to recent a change for me! :lol:

The ironmongers you mean was MacKays.

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 17:12
Thurso Harbour with a three masted schooner berthed, around 1910. And Scrabster Harbour around 1880. If you look at the second building n the foreground of the Scrabster photo you will see the large doors of what was the original lifeboat shed. Opposite is the slip where the horse drawn trailor was pulled down with the lifeboat attached.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/ThursoHarbour1910.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/Scrabsterharbour1880.jpg

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 17:20
Below is the opening of the Ellan bridge on the 1st October 1960. It was opened by John MacKay who crossed the river for 50 years prior to work at the flagworks. You can see the Scout hut to the right and to the left is the old kiln which was then used by the Hydro.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/openingofEllanfootbridge1960.jpg


Here is the rear of the Gas Works, this piccy was taken from the rear of the Legion around 1980.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/rearofGasWorks1980.jpg

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 17:25
Traill Street seen in 1908. You can see how much attention someone with a camera has caused!


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/TraillStreet1908.jpg

Below a view of the lighthouse and two masted schooners at Scrabster Roads around 1880.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/Lighthouseand4schooners.jpg

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 17:32
Pipe band in the grounds of Thurso Castle in 1897. Notice the stack in the background from the flagworks.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/PipersatCountyShowThursoCastleGroun.jpg

Below a painting of Robert Dick, the famous botanist and geologist who described himself as nothing but a humble baker. Robert was born in Tullibody in 1811. During his schooling he was regarded as a top level student having an inexhaustible thirst for knowledge. He learned Latin so quickly that his master recommended that he should be sent to college.

However this never came to pass and Robert served his trade as a baker starting at 3am and finishing sometime between 7 and 9 pm. He received no wages other than his bed and meals. Robert travelled to Thurso in 1830 and set up his bakery.

However the extremely modest and quiet baker was to achieve his unwanted fame through his knowledge of the natural world. He built up huge collections of insects, shells, geological and botanical specimens, considered to be the best in the country. Robert was to suffer when his order of flour along which contained some books and a microscope to help protect them from being knocked or damaged was lost when the boat carrying them sank. Eventually with no supplies to bake his business suffered. After being bedridden for two weeks he died penniless on Christmas Eve 1866 aged 56.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/RobertDick.jpg

Bobinovich
24-Jun-07, 17:49
Careful Thirsaloon, we don't want you to burn out too quickly :D. Naah seriously, although an incomer I find this all fascinating but could I ask when you're posting a photo of somewhere, can you also say what's currently there so us non-locals can visualise it. The picture of Lindsay's earlier I just can't seem to place.

Jeemag_USA
24-Jun-07, 18:11
Thats an amazing picture of Traill Street, is it possible to get a larger version of that, I'd love to print it off and frame it, its excellent!!!

For those intertested, if you right click on that Traill Street photo and set as background, it blows up into a beautiful desktop wallpaper. I love it!!!

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 18:16
Careful Thirsaloon, we don't want you to burn out too quickly :D. Naah seriously, although an incomer I find this all fascinating but could I ask when you're posting a photo of somewhere, can you also say what's currently there so us non-locals can visualise it. The picture of Lindsay's earlier I just can't seem to place.


Good point Mr Inovich! ;) I'll do my best to remember. Lindsays is now Soutars hardware shop......well whatever they have renamed it to now!

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 18:33
Below Thurso harbour in 1864. This is one of the earliest views of Thurso as photography was only making its mark up here then.To the left is the stack of the Braehead pavement works. You can also see all mounds of flag chippings on both sides of the river.

To the right hand side you can just see a small black blob at the edge of the river which is a man with a fishing rod. In the foreground is the stepping stones which ran in a slight curved line. They were situated where the footbridge is now.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SteppingStonesThursoRiver1864.jpg

Below is one of the two flagworks which was on the west side of the river. You'll notice all the flagstones stacked up on end ready for exporting. Around the site of where the Council depot is now. Photo taken around 1900.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/FlagworksThursoWest.jpg

Jeemag_USA
24-Jun-07, 20:54
I remember my dad telling me about the stepping stones as he was told by someone older than him, some of them are still visible, thy are on the north side of what is called the Ellon Bridge. I can imagine a few people came a cropper falling off those on a wet day :Razz

gollach
24-Jun-07, 21:32
Below is the opening of the Ellan bridge on the 1st October 1960. It was opened by John MacKay who crossed the river for 50 years prior to work at the flagworks.

I think that the plate on the bridge (at the scout hut end) says something about that too.


You can see the Scout hut to the right and to the left is the old kiln which was then used by the Hydro.

There was a short cut the kids from Springpark used to take between these two buildings. Once you came off the Ellon Bridge, you could get between the Scout hut and the Hydro yard fence and walk along until you came out in Robert Dick Place by the side of the Guide hut. I think that the gap was finally plugged after the Hydro moved up to Ormlie and the site was taken over by the Legion to build those retirement houses.

thirsaloon
24-Jun-07, 21:49
I remember my dad telling me about the stepping stones as he was told by someone older than him, some of them are still visible, thy are on the north side of what is called the Ellon Bridge. I can imagine a few people came a cropper falling off those on a wet day :Razz


There was a second row of stepping stones further up the river, near the footbridge that is opposte the Mill. Hope some other folks start digging around now and see what photo's they may have. Could be the start of something interesting here!

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 13:08
Thanks for the compliments folks, glad your enjoying the info and photographs. Would appreciate if anyone can add anymore photograph’s. I’m sure a lot of you may have photo’s that’s stuck in an old box or drawer.

Often the ones taken with a box brownie are every bit as interesting cause they show stuff that the professional photographers of the day wouldn’t look at. I’ll add a few more in the next day or so.

Oh and thanks for adding to my reputation bit on here to, very good of you! I’m sure I should get my own website the way this is going!!!:lol:

Alas, way beyond my pc skills! :roll:

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 16:57
Before and after shot of the corner of Olrig and Rotterdam Street. This should bring a few memories back. Remember let me know if you have any storys and memories relating to the piccys. Would be much appreciated.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/junctionofolrigrotterdamstcolour1.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/junctionofolrigrotterdamstcolour.jpg

honey
25-Jun-07, 17:05
i cant seem to see any of these pics except the one of the veiwfirth...:(

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 17:44
Nice before and after pics of the corner of Olrig and Rotterdam Street, thirsaloon! I was surprised when I zoomed in on the "before" pic that the shop sign says A T Rolland. Any idea when that one was taken? I remember that shop as being Noble's the florist in the 60s and 70s. They moved to High Street in the latter part of the 70s, at the Grove Lane end, opposite Peterkin's the chemist. (Later known as the Co-op chemist?) The shop on the far left of the pic (next to the one painted a mustard colour), was a shoe shop. Gunn's or Williamson's, I think. The new buildings that replaced them were built in 1977 or 1978, were they not?

Malcolmdog
25-Jun-07, 17:48
absolutely fantastic pictures. I love the way that you point our attention to a detail in a picture that we would miss.

You have inspired me to take another look at my scanner. Perhaps, if I gain your skill level I will post some old photos of Northern Ontario, Canada, where I am originally from.

thanks so much.
Rhonda.

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 17:53
Seen these pictures of old Thurso, and in this week that the Viewfirth has been consigned to the quarry in the sky, thought I'd put this pick up

http://www.dynamicsoundsdisco.co.uk/gallery/viewclose/oldview.jpg

It is a scan of a picture that my grandfather had, but shows the place in its granduer.

Thanks so much for posting this wonderful photo, Dynamic Sounds! It's great to see a pic of Viewfirth and "Barn" in their former glory! :) Is there a year written on the back of the photo?

Buttercup
25-Jun-07, 17:54
Nice before and after pics of the corner of Olrig and Rotterdam Street, thirsaloon! I was surprised when I zoomed in on the "before" pic that the shop sign says A T Rolland. Any idea when that one was taken? I remember that shop as being Noble's the florist in the 60s and 70s. They moved to High Street in the latter part of the 70s, at the Grove Lane end, opposite Peterkin's the chemist. (Later known as the Co-op chemist?) The shop on the far left of the pic (next to the one painted a mustard colour), was a shoe shop. Gunn's or Williamson's, I think. The new buildings that replaced them were built in 1977 or 1978, were they not?

A T Rolland moved in after Nobles went into their new shop. The shoe shop is Gunns, but the mustard coloured one was Sam the Barber's.

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 18:04
Thanks for refreshing my memory, Buttercup! :) A T Rolland were painters and decorators, were they not?

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 18:42
Another two piccys from 1911. Attached are photographs of W & G Dunnet cycle shop (where Mac Mowat served his apprenticeship) later to become Dunnets Garage and just along the road a wee bit was the Victoria Hairdressing Saloon. If you look in the foreground of the photo in front of the group of people at the cycle shop you will see some of the Thurso fish baskets that was used by fisherwomen to sell the latest catch from.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/WGDunnet.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/VictoriaHairdressingSaloon-1.jpg

Is that first photo on the corner of Meadow Lane and Traill Street, where the Newmarket Bar is now? Or is it where Cardosi's Cafe (Top Joe's) was on the corner of Traill Street and Olrig Street, thirsaloon?

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 18:59
Attached is a photograph of Lindsays which im sure many of you remember. This photograph was taken in 1910. The building was newly built replacing the much older single story building. If I remember I will take a look for the older shop and post it.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/Lindsays1910.jpg

I do indeed remember Lindsay's the Ironmonger, thirsaloon! :) It looked very much the same as in the photo, in the 60s and 70s. The doors and outside trimmings were painted fire engine red. I used to love the smell inside the ironmongers, and the shop had old wooden floorboards. The part of the shop on the right of the photo was where they sold fine china dishes and giftware. They stocked Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, etc. Next to that was the Ship's Wheel antique shop, which is now Le Bistro, I believe. Next to the main part of Lindsay's, on the left, was Shearer's drapery and haberdashery, now Mackay's.

gollach
25-Jun-07, 19:14
Before and after shot of the corner of Olrig and Rotterdam Street. This should bring a few memories back. Remember let me know if you have any storys and memories relating to the piccys. Would be much appreciated.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/junctionofolrigrotterdamstcolour1.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/junctionofolrigrotterdamstcolour.jpg

My Dad used to take my in to that barber's for a haircut and then I used to get a banana or apple from Nobles afterwards. I was only wee but I remember that there was a man in either the barber shop or the greengrocer's that reminded me of Dickie Davies from World of Sport. Can anyone tell me which shop he worked in?

gollach
25-Jun-07, 19:19
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/junctionofolrigrotterdamstcolour.jpg


Notice in this picture that the old one-way traffic system was still in place on Rotterdam Street and the pedestrian precent had not been built when the photo was taken.

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 19:19
Below a painting of Robert Dick, the famous botanist and geologist who described himself as nothing but a humble baker. Robert was born in Tullibody in 1811. During his schooling he was regarded as a top level student having an inexhaustible thirst for knowledge. He learned Latin so quickly that his master recommended that he should be sent to college.

However this never came to pass and Robert served his trade as a baker starting at 3am and finishing sometime between 7 and 9 pm. He received no wages other than his bed and meals. Robert travelled to Thurso in 1830 and set up his bakery.

However the extremely modest and quiet baker was to achieve his unwanted fame through his knowledge of the natural world. He built up huge collections of insects, shells, geological and botanical specimens, considered to be the best in the country. Robert was to suffer when his order of flour along which contained some books and a microscope to help protect them from being knocked or damaged was lost when the boat carrying them sank. Eventually with no supplies to bake his business suffered. After being bedridden for two weeks he died penniless on Christmas Eve 1866 aged 56.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/RobertDick.jpg

I remember seeing a bust of Robert Dick in Thurso Museum, when it was next to the old library in the Town Hall building. But I have never seen this painting of him before. What a handsome man he was! And what a striking resemblance to present day actor Joaquin Phoenix! I sincerely hope that Robert Dick's house still exists, and that it has not been demolished. If I remember correctly, it was either on Wilson Street or Grove Lane. Do you know where his bakery was located, thirsaloon?

The last few years of Robert Dick's life were indeed sad, as related in an account by Jack Saxon.

http://www.caithness.org/caithnessfieldclub/bulletins/1997/robert_dick_fossil_collection.htm

gollach
25-Jun-07, 19:22
Do you know where his bakery was located, thirsaloon?

Sporran, I think that his bakery was the little single storey building attached to the side of his house at the bottom of Wilson Street.

Jeemag_USA
25-Jun-07, 19:30
I think you are right Sporran, its actually the opposite corner of where Dunnets garage used to be (became a furniture store, next to the meadow well), This building was at one time called the Stardust and it was local bookies the last time i was in town.

Edit.. oops I am on the wrong page, I should have quoted, I was referring to you question about the Swift Cycles photo.

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 19:51
i cant seem to see any of these pics except the one of the veiwfirth...:(


Not sure why you cant see the photo's, try getting in touch with the clever people who run the site or the message bit and ask them. I would imagine it may be something small with your pc. Hope you get it sorted and see them soon!

:D

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 19:53
Sporran, I think that his bakery was the little single storey building attached to the side of his house at the bottom of Wilson Street.


The house has changed slighty over the years, but I think the bakery was located at the rear of his house. I will check my notes and see if I have any info for you.

honey
25-Jun-07, 19:56
thanks for that, its strange im seeing some and noth others.. then again, i am at work and shouldnt be looking at ANY, so cant complain to much :lol:

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 19:57
Thanks for that info, gollach, Jeemag_USA and thirsaloon. It's been a number of years since I've been to Thurso, and I didn't know that Dunnet's Garage is now a furniture store. I remember when the Stardust Lounge was was Tiffany's Boutique in the latter half of the 60s, and into the 70s. It was rather upscale, and catered to women of all ages. I bought my wedding dress there in 1976, and I believe the shop was still open in 1978, when I left Thurso. During the late 60s, they even stocked some Mary Quant (of Carnaby Street fame!) fashions, as well as some of her cosmetics.

I think the Victoria Hairdressing Saloon, in thirsaloon's 1911 photo, is where MacKenzie the newsagent's was, between Tiffany's Boutique and the Royal Hotel.

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 19:58
Is that first photo on the corner of Meadow Lane and Traill Street, where the Newmarket Bar is now? Or is it where Cardosi's Cafe (Top Joe's) was on the corner of Traill Street and Olrig Street, thirsaloon?


The first photograph is at the corner of Meadow Lane and Traill Street as you guessed! :D

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 20:01
Thanks for that info, gollach and Jeemag_USA. It's been a number of years since I've been to Thurso, and I didn't know that Dunnet's Garage is now a furniture store. I remember when the Stardust Lounge was was Tiffany's Boutique in the latter half of the 60s, and into the 70s. It was rather upscale, and catered to women of all ages. I bought my wedding dress there in 1976, and I believe the shop was still open in 1978, when I left Thurso. During the late 60s, they even stocked some Mary Quant (of Carnaby Street fame!) fashions, as well as some of her cosmetics.

I think the Victoria Hairdressing Saloon, in thirsaloon's 1911 photo, is where MacKenzie the newsagent's was, between Tiffany's Boutique and the Royal Hotel.



Not that im trying to show off sporran but here you go!!!

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/Tiffanys.jpg

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 20:07
This is the best I have i'm afraid of Sutherlands Cottages which were at the back of McKays the butchers. Having said that its better than nothing at all!

You can see this was when they were being demolished. In the second photograph you will see the top of Tollemache House in the background just to help you get an idea of where they were in case any of you are a bit lost.



http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottages.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottagesb.jpg

Sporran
25-Jun-07, 20:07
Oh what a clever chiel you are, thirsaloon!!! :lol: Great to see a pic of Tiffany's!

As you can no doubt tell, I am thoroughly enjoying this thread of yours! :D

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 20:18
I remember seeing a bust of Robert Dick in Thurso Museum, when it was next to the old library in the Town Hall building. But I have never seen this painting of him before. What a handsome man he was! And what a striking resemblance to present day actor Joaquin Phoenix! I sincerely hope that Robert Dick's house still exists, and that it has not been demolished. If I remember correctly, it was either on Wilson Street or Grove Lane. Do you know where his bakery was located, thirsaloon?

The last few years of Robert Dick's life were indeed sad, as related in an account by Jack Saxon.

http://www.caithness.org/caithnessfieldclub/bulletins/1997/robert_dick_fossil_collection.htm

The bust is still in the museum collection. Its actually a death mask taken from a mould which was made from Robert after his death. I did measure it and managed to work out his height but I forget now. He was under 6ft, I think around 5ft 8" or so. This is a piccy I did of it last year. Im not trying to show off again sporran but here you go again!!!

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/RobertDickdeathmask.jpg

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 20:27
Since we been speaking about the corner of Rotterdam Street/ Olrig Street this is the oldest piccy I have of it. Again like the others it was taken in 1864, you can see there is a bit of a change at what we know as the "Central corner". Whats in this photo was demolished and rebuilt to what we all know. I forget the mans name now that built it but again I have it in my notes. You will notice the shop which was later to become Nobles in the middle of the pic. The photo was taken from Traill Street looking down to Rotterdam Street with the junction of Olrig Street running to the left of the piccy.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/JUNCTIONOFTRAILLST.jpg

The piccy below was taken in December 1976, you can see the bank in Olrig Street in the background.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/JunctionofolrigrotterdamstDec1976b.jpg

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 20:36
Below is High Street around the late 1940's/ early 1950's taken from Rotterdam Street. To the left of the photo is the Y.M.C.A. which is now the site of Semi-chem. Templetons, then Presto's before! Peterkins the chemist is in the distance, now the CO-OP chemist.The Town Hall is away of down near the bottom.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/HighSt.jpg

Below is Dunnets garage and staff in Mansons Lane with Traill Street in the background. If you to the left of the photograph you will see the two peaked roofs, now look back at the photo of the Free Church I put on the page to do with the Old Thurso Bottle. What your seeing below is the back of the Free Church before it was later demolished to make way for the car park at the back of the T.S.B. This photo was taken in the 1920's, it was in two sections but I manged to stitch them together.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/DunnetsShowroom1922.jpg

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 20:45
Piccy of Winston Churchill with Marigold and Archibald Sinclair. Archie was an influential member of Churchills war cabient.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/CHURCHILLMARIGOLDARCHIBALD.jpg

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 20:51
This is Bank Street, behind MacKays the Ironmongers in High Street. On the corner of the right hand building is the sign painted for Jock MacKay's fish shop. There was also the drapers shop which he owned next to it so you could get knickers and kippers in the same street!!!!!


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/BEHINDMACKAYSIRONMONGERSSTAIRWAYAUG.jpg

Below is a staff photograph of Dan Murray's Lemonade Factory which was just of Shore Street (turnpike in the background). The piccy has Willie Doull, Barbara Doull, Lena MacKay, Dodie McPhee, Dan is at the front with the glasses and cap.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/LEMONADEFACTORYSTAFF.jpg

Buttercup
25-Jun-07, 21:59
My Dad used to take my in to that barber's for a haircut and then I used to get a banana or apple from Nobles afterwards. I was only wee but I remember that there was a man in either the barber shop or the greengrocer's that reminded me of Dickie Davies from World of Sport. Can anyone tell me which shop he worked in?

You must be thinking of John Noble (he had a moustache) as I don't think Sam Wylie looked anything like Dickie Davis. :lol:

Buttercup
25-Jun-07, 22:02
This is the best I have i'm afraid of Sutherlands Cottages which were at the back of McKays the butchers. Having said that its better than nothing at all!

You can see this was when they were being demolished. In the second photograph you will see the top of Tollemache House in the background just to help you get an idea of where they were in case any of you are a bit lost.



http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottages.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottagesb.jpg

Danny Craig had his store for fags in one of these buildings and A T Rolland had a paint store in another one.

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 22:21
Danny Craig had his store for fags in one of these buildings and A T Rolland had a paint store in another one.


I think I remember someone telling me that Buttercup, forgot all about that!

:D

tenabowla
25-Jun-07, 22:24
Yes I can still remember the smell of the iron mongers what ever that smell was and you bought nails by the imperial pound. Was it not Sinclair Houston that worked in Mackays.

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 22:26
Yes I can still remember the smell of the iron mongers what ever that smell was and you bought nails by the imperial pound. Was it not Sinclair Houston that worked in Mackays.


Indeed it was! Im sure I have a piccy of it, must post that one to!

Buttercup
25-Jun-07, 22:27
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottages.jpg


The building in the foreground with the blue round the windows was Gunns Jewellers.

thirsaloon
25-Jun-07, 22:30
This is the only photograph I have of the shop, taken at the same time as the previous ones.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SUTH1.jpg

Bobinovich
25-Jun-07, 22:52
So if I understand you right the corner where the Road Closed sign sits is now the end of the one-way system round from Market Street onto High Street?

Buttercup
25-Jun-07, 22:57
So if I understand you right the corner where the Road Closed sign sits is now the end of the one-way system round from Market Street onto High Street?

That's right :Razz

gollach
25-Jun-07, 23:17
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottages.jpg


The building in the foreground with the blue round the windows was Gunns Jewellers.

I can remember Gunn's jewellers being there before they moved to the bottom of Olrig street but I thought it was a detached shop that they had on the High Street, I didn't realise that there were cottages attached to the rear of the shop.

gollach
25-Jun-07, 23:22
You must be thinking of John Noble (he had a moustache) as I don't think Sam Wylie looked anything like Dickie Davis. :lol:

Thanks, Buttercup. John Noble probably looked nothing like him either - funny the things you remember when you are a bairn!

Dynamic Sounds
25-Jun-07, 23:56
I can remember Gunn's jewellers being there before they moved to the bottom of Olrig street but I thought it was a detached shop that they had on the High Street, I didn't realise that there were cottages attached to the rear of the shop.

I remember early/mid 80s the detached shop being there aswell. I must admit that until today I never realised that it was originally part of a row of cottages.

Dynamic Sounds
26-Jun-07, 00:00
Thanks so much for posting this wonderful photo, Dynamic Sounds! It's great to see a pic of Viewfirth and "Barn" in their former glory! :) Is there a year written on the back of the photo?

Sorry Sporran, the picture is glued to a card frame that on closer inspection (I never noticed this before) has "JOHNSTON - WICK AND THURSO wmbossed onto it. I canna mind a Johnston photo shop in Thurso or Wick, so does anyone else have a clue when ths shop closed?

Looking at the pic though, there is no sign of any building work around it for building the estate, so I would put it at the latest the 50s? Any advances?

fred
26-Jun-07, 00:14
Sorry Sporran, the picture is glued to a card frame that on closer inspection (I never noticed this before) has "JOHNSTON - WICK AND THURSO wmbossed onto it. I canna mind a Johnston photo shop in Thurso or Wick, so does anyone else have a clue when ths shop closed?


The Wick shop closed in 1973.

webmannie
26-Jun-07, 00:18
This is Bank Street, behind MacKays the Ironmongers in High Street. On the corner of the right hand building is the sign painted for Jock MacKay's fish shop. There was also the drapers shop which he owned next to it so you could get knickers and kippers in the same street!!!!!


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/BEHINDMACKAYSIRONMONGERSSTAIRWAYAUG.jpg



Must correct you, it was Jock Mackenzie's kipper and knicker shops. He's 96 now, my daughter (his great grand-daughter) popped in to see him at the weekend.

Metalattakk
26-Jun-07, 01:37
Since this thread first started, I've been looking for some old 'photos (that I saw on the web) of the Miller Institute, taken in 1863/64. I'm sure they were on the Miller Academy website, but recent checks found that the website had changed, by quite a bit!

The pics I was after are no longer there, but there are swathes and swathes of text describing the history of the building.

http://www.milleracademy-thurso.co.uk/Webpages/foundation_opening.htm

On that page are these two 'photos though. I find it amazing to see the only building beyond the Institute is the Castlegreen Manse!

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z55/Metalattakk/openin2.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z55/Metalattakk/openin3.jpg

Margaret M.
26-Jun-07, 02:09
Wow, what a wonderful thread! In spite of modern technology, the most beautiful buildings in the world are those that were built centuries ago, imo.

Sporran
26-Jun-07, 05:39
This is the best I have i'm afraid of Sutherlands Cottages which were at the back of McKays the butchers. Having said that its better than nothing at all!

You can see this was when they were being demolished. In the second photograph you will see the top of Tollemache House in the background just to help you get an idea of where they were in case any of you are a bit lost.



http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottages.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottagesb.jpg

I do remember those cottages, thirsaloon. When were they demolished, and what is there now?

Sporran
26-Jun-07, 06:04
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SutherlandCottages.jpg


The building in the foreground with the blue round the windows was Gunns Jewellers.


This is the only photograph I have of the shop, taken at the same time as the previous ones.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SUTH1.jpg


I can remember Gunn's jewellers being there before they moved to the bottom of Olrig street but I thought it was a detached shop that they had on the High Street, I didn't realise that there were cottages attached to the rear of the shop.


I remember early/mid 80s the detached shop being there aswell. I must admit that until today I never realised that it was originally part of a row of cottages.

Hmmm....

I seem to remember the detached building also, and Gunn's the jeweller was in it in 1972, possibly before. Could it be that after the cottages were demolished, a new building was built in the exact same location as the shop in the photos above?

Sporran
26-Jun-07, 06:50
Seen these pictures of old Thurso, and in this week that the Viewfirth has been consigned to the quarry in the sky, thought I'd put this pick up

http://www.dynamicsoundsdisco.co.uk/gallery/viewclose/oldview.jpg

It is a scan of a picture that my grandfather had, but shows the place in its granduer.


Thanks so much for posting this wonderful photo, Dynamic Sounds! It's great to see a pic of Viewfirth and "Barn" in their former glory! :) Is there a year written on the back of the photo?


Sorry Sporran, the picture is glued to a card frame that on closer inspection (I never noticed this before) has "JOHNSTON - WICK AND THURSO wmbossed onto it. I canna mind a Johnston photo shop in Thurso or Wick, so does anyone else have a clue when ths shop closed?

Looking at the pic though, there is no sign of any building work around it for building the estate, so I would put it at the latest the 50s? Any advances?

Well, the first part of the "Atomic" housing estate was built in the mid 50s, and that would have included the Sweyn Road houses later built left of the Viewfirth barn, as you're looking at your photo. I was wondering if your pic was taken prior to thirsaloon's 1940 photo of Viewfirth (which he posted on Bobinovich's Viewfirth coming down thread and Rheghead's Cairnie bottle thread). I have a feeling that your photo is from an earlier time.

Mr P Cannop
26-Jun-07, 06:59
i enjoy seeing all the old and new pics keep them comming

Sairheed
26-Jun-07, 09:06
Referring to Dynamic Sounds mention of Johnston of Wick and Thurso.

I believe that Johnstons photographic studio in Thurso was the now, hairdressers in Princes Street (opposite the Station Hotel).

I have no personal recollection of it as my earliest memory was of the building being used as an argicultural implements business.

thirsaloon
26-Jun-07, 14:28
Must correct you, it was Jock Mackenzie's kipper and knicker shops. He's 96 now, my daughter (his great grand-daughter) popped in to see him at the weekend.


Yes your dead right, sorry about the mistake with the name. Must have been the rush of trying to get photo's on this. I have had a blether with him before about the old days. Thanks for correcting me!

:D

Buttercup
26-Jun-07, 17:11
Hmmm....

I seem to remember the detached building also, and Gunn's the jeweller was in it in 1972, possibly before. Could it be that after the cottages were demolished, a new building was built in the exact same location as the shop in the photos above?

I imagine they just left that one standing as it was in use at the time and the rest were in ruins, but maybe thirsaloon could throw some light on it.

Sporran
26-Jun-07, 17:35
Wir lucky til hev ye here, thirsaloon,
Yur contributions are really a boon,
We enjoy yur owld photies an' mem'ries they bring,
They mak' me sae happy, I feel could sing!

It's guid til tak' a trip doon Memory Lane,
Sometimes we need til, til keep wirselves sane!
In modern times, when things change ower fast,
It's guid til ponder 'e days o' 'e past!

gleeber
26-Jun-07, 18:05
The detached building some of you remember was a temporary wooden shop erected for Jack Souter whilst the arcade was being built. Originally he was in the old buildings before they were demolished to make way for the new arcade.The wooden shop was directly opposite the bike shop and whatsits. Jack Souter moved into where the sports shop is now.

Sporran
26-Jun-07, 18:19
The detached building some of you remember was a temporary wooden shop erected for Jack Souter whilst the arcade was being built. Originally he was in the old buildings before they were demolished to make way for the new arcade.The wooden shop was directly opposite the bike shop and whatsits. Jack Souter moved into where the sports shop is now.

It's not a temporary wooden shop I'm thinking of, gleeber, and this was several years after the arcade was built (which was in the early 60s, was it not?)

gollach
26-Jun-07, 18:37
It's not a temporary wooden shop I'm thinking of, gleeber, and this was several years after the arcade was built (which was in the early 60s, was it not?)

I agree with Sporran. I am not old enough to remember the arcade being built but I remember the detached shop that Gunn's jewellers had in the High Street.

jings00
26-Jun-07, 21:17
out of curiosity, anyone any pictures of Duke Street, as my brother-in-laws mam used to live there when she wis a wee lassie

thirsaloon
26-Jun-07, 21:34
Wir lucky til hev ye here, thirsaloon,
Yur contributions are really a boon,
We enjoy yur owld photies an' mem'ries they bring,
They mak' me sae happy, I feel could sing!

It's guid til tak' a trip doon Memory Lane,
Sometimes we need til, til keep wirselves sane!
In modern times, when things change ower fast,
It's guid til ponder 'e days o' 'e past!


Jeepers!

Never thought I would have someone mention me in a poem!! :D

This is the first time I have ever put a thread up on this and didnt expect it to get so much attention. Im thinking about maybe trying to do this slighty different before I put anymore photographs up. It would be handy for me if I just put maybe one or two pictures up and then asked for your comments/memories on them. Whether you can remember the building, shop, who worked in it, what it looked like inside etc?

Maybe a different thread for each one so the comments dont all become a jumble!

Or would you prefer I keep them to this thread only but only one or two pictures every so often?

Any suggestions please feel free to add to this or send me a pvt message.

:D

thirsaloon
26-Jun-07, 21:39
out of curiosity, anyone any pictures of Duke Street, as my brother-in-laws mam used to live there when she wis a wee lassie

I think I may have an aerial photograph of it but nothing at ground level, I have been hunting for one for a few years now with no luck. I have asked people whose families resided there but nobody seems to have and of course then cameras was a bit of a luxury item to have so they wouldn’t be snap happy like we are today.

The Transit Camp is another one I can’t find. I have an aerial photograph but again nothing at ground level. Having said that I’m always happy to see anything of Thurso/ Scrabster as it may be of interest.

Sporran
27-Jun-07, 08:52
Jeepers!

Never thought I would have someone mention me in a poem!! :D

This is the first time I have ever put a thread up on this and didnt expect it to get so much attention. Im thinking about maybe trying to do this slighty different before I put anymore photographs up. It would be handy for me if I just put maybe one or two pictures up and then asked for your comments/memories on them. Whether you can remember the building, shop, who worked in it, what it looked like inside etc?

Maybe a different thread for each one so the comments dont all become a jumble!

Or would you prefer I keep them to this thread only but only one or two pictures every so often?

Any suggestions please feel free to add to this or send me a pvt message.


Ah, but you're a celebrity now, thirsaloon! ;)

I would suggest maybe a thread for each photo or pair of "then and now" photos. That would definitely keep things more organised.

jings00
27-Jun-07, 14:42
thanks Thirsaloon

poppett
27-Jun-07, 16:24
A thread for each set of photos would be my preferrance.....Maybe you will end up with a whole forum of your own!

Good luck, and keep the memories coming.........Please!!!

thirsaloon
27-Jun-07, 16:24
Referring to Dynamic Sounds mention of Johnston of Wick and Thurso.

I believe that Johnstons photographic studio in Thurso was the now, hairdressers in Princes Street (opposite the Station Hotel).

I have no personal recollection of it as my earliest memory was of the building being used as an argicultural implements business.

Johnstons was situated there indeed. They were in Thurso from 1896 - 1938. There was number of other photographers in Thurso long before them but whatever happened to the negatives etc I couldnt say!

dunderheed
27-Jun-07, 17:22
dont get me wrong , thses photos are great



but , if i dare to try and post a joke on this forum i have several moderators chasing me to move it to the correct forum.

sour grapes ? sure is!!

Sporran
27-Jun-07, 17:33
Attached below are two photographs of Thurso Castle. This is the 3rd castle which was built at Thurso East. And the forth to have been built in Thurso.
Work on the castle in the photo's below was carried out between 1874 and 1876 when the previous castle was renovated by Sir Tollemache Sinclair.

The tower was 8 floors and 100 feet high but the founds were made for taking an tower 40 feet high therefore it was never going to last. By 1914 the tower had already started to lean and it was evacuated. Then a sea mine was washed ashore exploding, blowing out some of the windows. Although it was thought no structural damage was done. The castle then had to be abandoned in 1951 and the roof was removed the following year.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/ThursoCastle1920.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/ThursoCastle1885.jpg

I would have loved to have seen Thurso Castle in its former glory! It was beautiful! We moved to Thurso in the late 50s, when I was a toddler. When I was growing up in Thurso, I always assumed the castle had been in ruins for many years. Little did I know that was not the case!

Sporran
27-Jun-07, 17:53
Since this thread first started, I've been looking for some old 'photos (that I saw on the web) of the Miller Institute, taken in 1863/64. I'm sure they were on the Miller Academy website, but recent checks found that the website had changed, by quite a bit!

The pics I was after are no longer there, but there are swathes and swathes of text describing the history of the building.

http://www.milleracademy-thurso.co.uk/Webpages/foundation_opening.htm

On that page are these two 'photos though. I find it amazing to see the only building beyond the Institute is the Castlegreen Manse!

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z55/Metalattakk/openin2.jpg

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z55/Metalattakk/openin3.jpg

I am fascinated by these photos too, Metalattakk! It does seem strange to see a wide open field surrounding the original Miller Academy building! Does the Castlegreen Manse still exist today?

That would be Thurso West Church on Sinclair Street, in the second photo, of course. I am assuming the house in the foreground is on Janet Street, next to the river.

Metalattakk
27-Jun-07, 18:22
Aye, Castlegreen Manse is still there - Mr Arif the bookie lives in it now, up behind the closing-down pet shop.

The building on Janet Street is still there, along with the wee three-doored building next to it.

Not so sure about the West Church though. The West Church as it is now only has one house and Johnstone's Bakery between it and the Library. It looks too far away in that 'photo.

Having said that, it surely must be the West Church?

thirsaloon
27-Jun-07, 20:28
Aye, Castlegreen Manse is still there - Mr Arif the bookie lives in it now, up behind the closing-down pet shop.

The building on Janet Street is still there, along with the wee three-doored building next to it.

Not so sure about the West Church though. The West Church as it is now only has one house and Johnstone's Bakery between it and the Library. It looks too far away in that 'photo.

Having said that, it surely must be the West Church?


Its Mr Barry the dentist who stays in the manse now and yip it is the West Church opened in 1860. These were photographs I got which then went into the Miller book. Again both taken in 1864.

Metalattakk
27-Jun-07, 20:57
Ah right, thanks for the correction/update. ;)

Sporran
28-Jun-07, 05:52
Did the Castlegreen Manse originally serve as the manse for the West Church? If it's the house I am thinking of, is it situated just slightly south of the "atomic" houses on Duncan Street, and just slightly east of the "atomic" houses on Castlegreen Road (across from Ormlie Lodge)?

Sporran
28-Jun-07, 06:28
Seen these pictures of old Thurso, and in this week that the Viewfirth has been consigned to the quarry in the sky, thought I'd put this pick up

http://www.dynamicsoundsdisco.co.uk/gallery/viewclose/oldview.jpg

It is a scan of a picture that my grandfather had, but shows the place in its granduer.


Thanks so much for posting this wonderful photo, Dynamic Sounds! It's great to see a pic of Viewfirth and "Barn" in their former glory! :) Is there a year written on the back of the photo?


Sorry Sporran, the picture is glued to a card frame that on closer inspection (I never noticed this before) has "JOHNSTON - WICK AND THURSO wmbossed onto it. I canna mind a Johnston photo shop in Thurso or Wick, so does anyone else have a clue when ths shop closed?

Looking at the pic though, there is no sign of any building work around it for building the estate, so I would put it at the latest the 50s? Any advances?


Well, the first part of the "Atomic" housing estate was built in the mid 50s, and that would have included the Sweyn Road houses later built left of the Viewfirth barn, as you're looking at your photo. I was wondering if your pic was taken prior to thirsaloon's 1940 photo of Viewfirth (which he posted on Bobinovich's Viewfirth coming down thread and Rheghead's Cairnie bottle thread). I have a feeling that your photo is from an earlier time.


Referring to Dynamic Sounds mention of Johnston of Wick and Thurso.

I believe that Johnstons photographic studio in Thurso was the now, hairdressers in Princes Street (opposite the Station Hotel).

I have no personal recollection of it as my earliest memory was of the building being used as an argicultural implements business.


Johnstons was situated there indeed. They were in Thurso from 1896 - 1938. There was number of other photographers in Thurso long before them but whatever happened to the negatives etc I couldnt say!

At least we now know that Dynamic Sounds' old photo of Viewfirth was more than likely taken somewhere between those two dates, then.

Buttercup
28-Jun-07, 13:46
Did the Castlegreen Manse originally serve as the manse for the West Church? If it's the house I am thinking of, is it situated just slightly south of the "atomic" houses on Duncan Street, and just slightly east of the "atomic" houses on Castlegreen Road (across from Ormlie Lodge)?

It is the house you're thinking of Sporran, it was the Parish Church Manse ie St Peter's (laterly St Peter's & St Andrew's). Not sure what year it changed, possibly late 70's, but it was while the late Donald Riach was the minister that the manse moved to Rose Street.
(The West Church Manse is in Thorkel Road.)

tenabowla
29-Jun-07, 11:27
thirsaloon

You wouldn't happen to know aything of or have a picture of the old Caledonian hotel in Thurso would you. I believe it was behind the old Coiop/99p shop and may have become the labour part HQ after being a hotel. I think my GGrandfather may have been involved with running it.

Sporran
29-Jun-07, 18:34
thirsaloon

You wouldn't happen to know aything of or have a picture of the old Caledonian hotel in Thurso would you. I believe it was behind the old Coiop/99p shop and may have become the labour part HQ after being a hotel. I think my GGrandfather may have been involved with running it.

Hopefully thirsaloon will have a photo of the hotel, but in the meantime, you can see where it was on a Thurso map from 1872. Highlander gave us the link to it on the Thurso Street Names thread, which we had in April and May. The hotel is indicated on this map, and it looks like it was located on the Swanson Street end of Durness Street.

http://www.nls.uk/maps/early/towns.cfm?id=1923

You will also notice on this map that Princes Street had a different name back then, as it wasn't so named until 1876. Prior to that, the section from the railway station to Davidson's Lane was known as Ulbster Terrace, from Davidson's Lane to St Peter's Church was Sutherland Street, and from St Peter's to Olrig Street was Forss Street. In 1876, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Thurso to open an Exhibition of Art and Industry, and the name change was facilitated to mark this occasion. You can see exactly where the exhibition was held in a recent post by thirsaloon, on the Old Thurso Bottle thread. Go to post number 33 on the following link:

http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?t=27805&page=2

It's also interesting to note that Sir George's Street was known as Caithness Street on the 1872 map. It didn't acquire its present day name until 1893, when Sir Tollemache Sinclair named it after his father, Sir George Sinclair.

thirsaloon
29-Jun-07, 20:39
thirsaloon

You wouldn't happen to know aything of or have a picture of the old Caledonian hotel in Thurso would you. I believe it was behind the old Coiop/99p shop and may have become the labour part HQ after being a hotel. I think my GGrandfather may have been involved with running it.


Yip I do a photograph of it and some information on it. It was known as MacKays Hotel orginally. If you have a note of your G Grandfathers name and he was the manger/owner then I may be able to give you rough dates when.

tenabowla
01-Jul-07, 00:54
Hi

It was Robert Richardson, previously RSM Richardson of Castletown artillery 1901- 1906 ish.

Jim

Ricco
01-Jul-07, 09:07
Did the Castlegreen Manse originally serve as the manse for the West Church? If it's the house I am thinking of, is it situated just slightly south of the "atomic" houses on Duncan Street, and just slightly east of the "atomic" houses on Castlegreen Road (across from Ormlie Lodge)?

The manse was behind where I used to live. In fact, I used to 'bob-a-job' for the Vicar who was living there. I also used to love all the rooks that lived in the trees around the edge of the grounds. The far side (northerly) of the grounds had a severe drop down to the next houses, as if there were a quarry there some time in the past.

Sporran
01-Jul-07, 09:55
The manse was behind where I used to live. In fact, I used to 'bob-a-job' for the Vicar who was living there. I also used to love all the rooks that lived in the trees around the edge of the grounds. The far side (northerly) of the grounds had a severe drop down to the next houses, as if there were a quarry there some time in the past.

I remember all those rooks in the trees as well Ricco, and I used to like listening to them caw! :) When I was little, I lived in the Brownhill Road flats not far from there. I remember the old quarry too. I believe it's the same quarry on this 1872 map of Thurso, and it's called the Brownhill Quarry there. The Castlegreen Manse is shown next to it.

http://www.nls.uk/maps/early/towns.cfm?id=1923

Can anyone tell me if the new Castle Gardens apartment building has been built on the site of this former quarry?

Metalattakk
01-Jul-07, 11:39
Can anyone tell me if the new Castle Gardens apartment building has been built on the site of this former quarry?

Yep, it has indeed.

thirsaloon
02-Jul-07, 21:12
Hi

It was Robert Richardson, previously RSM Richardson of Castletown artillery 1901- 1906 ish.

Jim

Hi tenabowla.

I have no mention of the hotel in 1911. So I would imagine that it closed for business before this. I know that the hotel was demolished around the 1930’s.

From 1903 - 1909 I came across a references to Robert Richardson, sergeant-instructor 3rd and 4th companies Caithness Volunteers, Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) Drill Hall, Sinclair Street.

However also in 1911, I came across another reference to a Robert Richardson as a spirit dealer, Bank Place. He is not listed though in 1932 so he must have stopped trading or had passed away by then. These details came from Trades Directories that I have. I don’t have a complete set so I’m afraid the dates are as close as I can get with what information I have. It gives you a rough idea though.

I’m afraid I have nothing to connect him with the hotel, that’s not to say he wasn’t involved with it, it’s just from what information I have. I will have another rummage with what I have and see if I find anything else.

The hotel is pictured below though.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/CALEDONIANHOTELA.jpg

thirsaloon
02-Jul-07, 21:35
Below is a view of Thurso from 1864. Sharp eyed people will notice the four arched bridge (three large arches and one small one) which was built in 1800 prior to the present road bridge which was opened in 1887. This first bridge was only 15 feet wide and had no pavements.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THURSOFROMTHEEAST1864.jpg

Below is a view of Thurso from the tower of Thurso castle.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THURSOFROMCASTLETOWER.jpg

Jeemag_USA
02-Jul-07, 21:43
Below is a view of Thurso from 1864. Sharp eyed people will notice the four arched bridge (three large arches and one small one) which was built in 1800 prior to the present road bridge which was opened in 1887. This first bridge was only 15 feet wide and had no pavements.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THURSOFROMTHEEAST1864.jpg

Below is a view of Thurso from the tower of Thurso castle.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THURSOFROMCASTLETOWER.jpg

Wow, fantastic pictures, thanks again Thirsaloon. Many's a time I have waled down past that dike in the first picture hen I lived at Thurso East, I wonder if its the same dike still there or was it rebuilt.

Does anyone know what the roads were made of back then, lookingat that one and the one in the Traill Street picture it just looks like layers of hard packed hardcore. I woudl imagine the roads were a nightmare when heavy rain ensued back then, must have been a quagmire??

Also does anyone know what the large building at this end of the promenade in the bottom photo originally was, I remember when I was a youngster there was a bar in the bottom of it at the back but can't remember the name of it? I know the building is still there, it has about 3 or 4 levels including a basement maybe.

thirsaloon
02-Jul-07, 21:49
Wow, fantastic pictures, thanks again Thirsaloon. Many's a time I have waled down past that dike in the first picture hen I lived at Thurso East, I wonder if its the same dike still there or was it rebuilt.

Does anyone know what the roads were made of back then, lookingat that one and the one in the Traill Street picture it just looks like layers of hard packed hardcore. I woudl imagine the roads were a nightmare when heavy rain ensued back then, must have been a quagmire??


Thanks jeemag. Outwith the town a lot of the roads were really dirt tracks, although I have seen one old road which is roughly cobbled. Within the town the roads were often made from "metal" - like a hard core. I think its the same dyke, although patched up etc when it had to be. I have some photographs where there is flagstone paving stretching across the road at intervals. Like a zebra crossing idea. This would help keep the feet clean and also the long dresses worn at the time.

Relating to your question jeemag do you mean the Marine Inn at the start of the esplanade?

Jeemag_USA
02-Jul-07, 22:00
Thanks jeemag. Outwith the town a lot of the roads were really dirt tracks, although I have seen one old road which is roughly cobbled. Within the town the roads were often made from "metal" - like a hard core. I think its the same dyke, although patched up etc when it had to be. I have some photographs where there is flagstone paving stretching across the road at intervals. Like a zebra crossing idea. This would help keep the feet clean and also the long dresses worn at the time.

Relating to your question jeemag do you mean the Marine Inn at the start of the esplanade?

Yeah thanks for spotting that, I wondered why I couldn't see my question because I accidentally put it inside your quotes.

Yes the Marine Inn that was it, I oftne wondered what that building was it is so big, thought it might be someting to do with the sea or the harbour or fishing/trading etc???

thirsaloon
02-Jul-07, 22:05
As far as I know Jeemag it was always a inn/bar.

Jeemag_USA
02-Jul-07, 22:50
As far as I know Jeemag it was always a inn/bar.

Thanks

Does anyone I wonder have a copy of an old photo that showed Doupy Dan sitting on a bench on the mall of thurso river, I remember seeing it somewhere and can't remember where. I would love to have a copy of that photo as he was one of the most famous characters in the toon when I was growing up??

Sporran
03-Jul-07, 05:12
Was the photo of Thurso from the castle tower also taken around 1864, thirsaloon?

Saveman
03-Jul-07, 17:02
For more Caithness gems:

http://www.ambaile.org/en/index.jsp

horseman
03-Jul-07, 22:02
This guy is a real credit to caithness. :)

horseman
03-Jul-07, 22:05
This fella is a real credit to caithness.:)

thirsaloon
03-Jul-07, 23:20
Was the photo of Thurso from the castle tower also taken around 1864, thirsaloon?


Nope, that one was around 1910 or so!


:D

Cheers for your compliment horseman

Sporran
04-Jul-07, 06:15
For more Caithness gems:

http://www.ambaile.org/en/index.jsp

Thanks for that link, Saveman. Between the Am Baile site and this wonderful thread of thirsaloon's, I have plenty to keep myself entertained! :)

tenabowla
04-Jul-07, 13:09
Hi tenabowla.

I have no mention of the hotel in 1911. So I would imagine that it closed for business before this. I know that the hotel was demolished around the 1930’s.

From 1903 - 1909 I came across a references to Robert Richardson, sergeant-instructor 3rd and 4th companies Caithness Volunteers, Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) Drill Hall, Sinclair Street.

However also in 1911, I came across another reference to a Robert Richardson as a spirit dealer, Bank Place. He is not listed though in 1932 so he must have stopped trading or had passed away by then. These details came from Trades Directories that I have. I don’t have a complete set so I’m afraid the dates are as close as I can get with what information I have. It gives you a rough idea though.

I’m afraid I have nothing to connect him with the hotel, that’s not to say he wasn’t involved with it, it’s just from what information I have. I will have another rummage with what I have and see if I find anything else.

The hotel is pictured below though.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/CALEDONIANHOTELA.jpg

Hi
Thirsaloon

The details do tie up with the drill hall items and are consistent with what he did.

The old hotel would have been listed as Bank street wouldn,t it. Maybe there was a tenuous connection withe the hotel somewhere.

Jim

corgiman
04-Jul-07, 13:31
This is Bank Street, behind MacKays the Ironmongers in High Street. On the corner of the right hand building is the sign painted for Jock MacKay's fish shop. There was also the drapers shop which he owned next to it so you could get knickers and kippers in the same street!!!!!


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/BEHINDMACKAYSIRONMONGERSSTAIRWAYAUG.jpg

Below is a staff photograph of Dan Murray's Lemonade Factory which was just of Shore Street (turnpike in the background). The piccy has Willie Doull, Barbara Doull, Lena MacKay, Dodie McPhee, Dan is at the front with the glasses and cap.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/LEMONADEFACTORYSTAFF.jpg
the Mrs is delighted to see the pic of her great grandad here

corgiman
04-Jul-07, 13:50
This was an ode to Dan Murray, I am not sure was it before or after he died.
The wife's grandad did tell her the story but like many things you can never be sure when there is nobody left to ask.
OOR DANS DREAM





Let this be a warning to all those who may be contemplating
Taking up fishing as a hobby:

Oor Dan had a dream that he had quitted this life,
Said guid-bye tae the fishin’ and guid-bye tae the wife:
Before passing away he packed rod, line and reel,
Spinners, flees, and his baits, he took them as weel.

But when Peter espied all this fishin’ gear,
He said tae oor Dan “You’re a fisher, I fear,
And as fishers are leers, of course, you must go,
And join your fishin’ mates, “way doon below.”

But when they were standin’ by Jordan’s fair river,
Dan saw a troot rise, it fair made him quiver;
He got mounted fu’ haste, Peter gazed on in wonder,
As Dan hooked and landed a bonny fower punder.

Then Peter tae Dan said “ I wish you’d show me
How tae catch troots wi’ what ye ca’ a dry flee.”
But Dan said tae Peter, “Man, wi’ this hae a go,”
And he handed tae him a wee pot of roe.

Peter thought it was jam, but his very first cast,
Saw him intae a whopper, aye firm and fast,
And when it was landed, Peter danced round in glee,
And shouted tae Dan, “Man, this bates your dry flee.”

Then Dan shouted to Peter, “ye’ve naething at a’.
I’ve something tae bate roe, dry flees an’ a,”
So oot in the boat went the saint and the sinner,
Peter managed the oars, while Dan spun the spinner,

Then all of a sudden, Dan saw a tail swish,
He struck and cried—“ Hell, I’m intae a fish!”
It towed the boat here, it towed the boat there,
Sometimes it jumped nigh ten feet in the air:

The boat kept gan round, Peter felt kind o’ seek,
But Dan kept on fechtin’ and got oot his cleek,
Twa oors now had passed, and the fish it was game,
But came yince ower near, and Dan sent the gaff hame.

And when at land last, on the bank it lay still,
Dan felt in his pocket and took oot a gill,
He gave Peter a dram (a wee ane, nae doot),
But a sixty pund salmon deserves mair than a troot.

Then Peter said, Dan the law ye ken states,
Nae fisher can enter the Pearly Gates.”

“Nae fishin’ in Heaven,” quoth Dan, “ Then by heck,
Gie’s my ticket tae Hell, and a pass-oot check,
I never could sing and I never could flee,
So a harp and wings wid be nae guid tae me.”

Said Peter, “Right o’, for spinners, roe and flees,
I,ll gie ye a pass tae come oot when ye please:
Ye’ll act as my boatman, and teach me tae fish,
What mair can a man that’s damned ever wish?”

“ Right ye are, then,” said Dan, “That’ll suit me just fine,
I’m begginin’ tae wish that I’d died lang, lang syne!”

cuddlepop
04-Jul-07, 14:00
What a wonderful thread ,thanks to everyone who posted a thread or told a story.
Its made an interesting history lesson to an "outsider":D

thirsaloon
04-Jul-07, 15:14
I'll add a couple more piccys soon folks!

thirsaloon
04-Jul-07, 15:19
What a wonderful thread ,thanks to everyone who posted a thread or told a story.
Its made an interesting history lesson to an "outsider":D


Thanks for the compliment cuddlepop! I'm glad you and the rest of the folks out there have enjoyed some of the photographs from my collection and the information I put up with them. Makes the years of collecting and photographing various sites worth while! :D

thirsaloon
04-Jul-07, 15:57
Hi
Thirsaloon

The details do tie up with the drill hall items and are consistent with what he did.

The old hotel would have been listed as Bank street wouldn,t it. Maybe there was a tenuous connection withe the hotel somewhere.

Jim


Hi tenabowla

Yip, it was listed as Bank Street, the free masons used this as a meeting place at one time.

The Pepsi Challenge
04-Jul-07, 17:32
The Castlegreen Manse is today known as Goldenacre.

thirsaloon
04-Jul-07, 17:43
Below is Sir John's Square taken around 1906. You'll notice that the war memorial was not in situ at the time, instead the fountain in memory of Sir George Sinclair. It was moved to the back of the square to make way for the memorial which was erected in 1922.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SirJohnsSquare.jpg

Below is the Clett Rock which was taken in 1864.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THECLETTROCK2.jpg

thirsaloon
04-Jul-07, 17:45
the Mrs is delighted to see the pic of her great grandad here


Excellent, thanks for letting me know corgiman!

:D

The Pepsi Challenge
04-Jul-07, 18:09
Below is Sir John's Square taken around 1906. You'll notice that the war memorial was not in situ at the time, instead the fountain in memory of Sir George Sinclair. It was moved to the back of the square to make way for the memorial which was erected in 1922.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SirJohnsSquare.jpg

Below is the Clett Rock which was taken in 1864.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THECLETTROCK2.jpg


Notice the Edwardian Bandstand in the background: my favourite photograph of it was taken from the top of the Town's Clock. The Bandstand was removed by Thurso Council in 1976 as a "town improvement." They were great visionaries back then, too. A petition was set up in 1999/2000 to restore the Bandstand but was met, predictably, by the council's refusal despite a large amount of signatures by the local public - and the support of Lord Thurso.

webmannie
04-Jul-07, 18:19
The Castlegreen Manse is today known as Goldenacre.

Has it changed? It used to be Greenacre (coz it was an acre of ground) when Bill Arif had it, he moved to a place called greenacres (coz it has acres of ground) unless he was winding me up!!

golach
04-Jul-07, 19:26
Well done Thirsaloon, you are famous now, you have made the headlines in the CCWS

crashbandicoot1979
04-Jul-07, 21:44
These photos are fantastic, Thirsaloon, thanks for posting them. Its hard to believe how different Thurso once was!

Ricco
04-Jul-07, 21:53
I remember all those rooks in the trees as well Ricco, and I used to like listening to them caw! :) When I was little, I lived in the Brownhill Road flats not far from there. I remember the old quarry too. I believe it's the same quarry on this 1872 map of Thurso, and it's called the Brownhill Quarry there. The Castlegreen Manse is shown next to it.

http://www.nls.uk/maps/early/towns.cfm?id=1923

Can anyone tell me if the new Castle Gardens apartment building has been built on the site of this former quarry?

Ah, yes. You can see the Manse garden beds that later became the authority houses and the future Gastlegreen Road marked as 578.

I knew those flats intimately - we used to make a right nuisance of ourselves by playing British and Jerries up and down the stairwells. :roll:

Buttercup
04-Jul-07, 23:14
The Castlegreen Manse is today known as Goldenacre.


Has it changed? It used to be Greenacre (coz it was an acre of ground) when Bill Arif had it, he moved to a place called greenacres (coz it has acres of ground) unless he was winding me up!!

Yes webmannie, I also thought it was called Greenacre. :confused Reason I remember is because there used to be an American comedy show on TV by the same name.

http://forum.caithness.org/images/misc/progress.gif

Bobinovich
05-Jul-07, 00:31
Below is the Clett Rock which was taken in 1864.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THECLETTROCK2.jpg

It's incredible to see how much it has deteriorated/eroded in that time - it's a shadow of it's former self! I wonder how much of that is due to adventurous kids scaling it (myself included) over the years. C'mon I'm not the only one :)!

darkie@dreamtilt.com.au
05-Jul-07, 10:46
Wir lucky til hev ye here, thirsaloon,
Yur contributions are really a boon,
We enjoy yur owld photies an' mem'ries they bring,
They mak' me sae happy, I feel could sing!

It's guid til tak' a trip doon Memory Lane,
Sometimes we need til, til keep wirselves sane!
In modern times, when things change ower fast,
It's guid til ponder 'e days o' 'e past!
http://forum.caithness.org/images/icons/icon6.gif Well sead Sporran I think the thirsaloon has made his mark,been a while since an old Glebe kid has enjoyed a thread so much,took me back to when I was a wee fella Thanks a lot for the memories Thirsaloon,keep up the great work,Regards from downunder

gleeber
05-Jul-07, 19:18
It's incredible to see how much it has deteriorated/eroded in that time - it's a shadow of it's former self! I wonder how much of that is due to adventurous kids scaling it (myself included) over the years. C'mon I'm not the only one :)!

I don't know anyone who climbed the Clett rock and lived to tell the tale. I wonder if it was the needle' ee you were thinking about?

Ricco
05-Jul-07, 19:47
I don't know anyone who climbed the Clett rock and lived to tell the tale. I wonder if it was the needle' ee you were thinking about?

I got halfway down Holborn Head before a Buccaneer jet flew past with the pilot and co giving me the eye... down at my level. That made me go back up, I can tell you! :eek:

Janpat41
05-Jul-07, 20:00
[quote=thirsaloon;235285]Attached is a photograph of Lindsays which im sure many of you remember. This photograph was taken in 1910. The building was newly built replacing the much older single story building. If I remember I will take a look for the older shop and post it.

Really interesting photos, Thirsaloon. You're doing a grand job.

Do you have any names on the Lindsay's photo? Have a family interest there.

Look forward to you posting the older one too.

Re. Sinclair Houston in Mackays, Ironmongers. I remember buying a pair of scissors when I first got married back in 1973. My instructions were to look after them and they would last for a long time. He was right, they did, but unfortunately, I lost them.:(

Ricco
05-Jul-07, 20:13
I would have loved to have seen Thurso Castle in its former glory! It was beautiful! We moved to Thurso in the late 50s, when I was a toddler. When I was growing up in Thurso, I always assumed the castle had been in ruins for many years. Little did I know that was not the case!

Wow! I have never seen the castle in all its glory - really beautiful. What a shame it didn't last. I remember Lord Sinclair starting to redo the roof but then found that it was too expensive, so he demolished the work he had done so far.

Are there copies of the original photo for sale or offer? I would like one...

Bobinovich
05-Jul-07, 23:23
I don't know anyone who climbed the Clett rock and lived to tell the tale. I wonder if it was the needle' ee you were thinking about?

Hmmm I dunno - it just looks very much like a taller version of the one between Thurso & Scrabster - even looks like the photo was taken from Victoria Walk. Am I thinking of the wrong wee stack?

golach
05-Jul-07, 23:25
Bob the Clett Rock is past Holborn Lighthouse heading to Dounreay

thirsaloon
05-Jul-07, 23:26
Hmmm I dunno - it just looks very much like a taller version of the one between Thurso & Scrabster - even looks like the photo was taken from Victoria Walk. Am I thinking of the wrong wee stack?


Helloooooooooo Bob!

Yer thinking of the Needle Eye or Needle E.e. as it is also written!

Thats the one along the Vic!

The Clett is a stack at Holburn Head and you need to get on a boat to get to it.

The Pepsi Challenge
06-Jul-07, 02:30
Wow! I have never seen the castle in all its glory - really beautiful. What a shame it didn't last. I remember Lord Sinclair starting to redo the roof but then found that it was too expensive, so he demolished the work he had done so far.

Are there copies of the original photo for sale or offer? I would like one...

The Sinclair estate removed the roof to prevent them paying tax on it. Sad, innit?

trinkie
06-Jul-07, 07:38
I have found a wonderful Robert Dick Poem, which I'm putting on the Lit page, if anyone would like to read it.


Trinkie

trinkie
06-Jul-07, 12:37
I have now found an article taken from the Caithness Courier 17/5/1950 which reads

" ROBERT DICK

Sir -
Robert Dick ! I wonder if the promoters of the Memorial Seat Fund have this name in the list for a seat ? I do think his name should be added if it isn't there already.
I think Thursonians and indeed the people resident in Caithness everywhere would acclaim it as a very fine gesture to a great lover of nature and a geologist and botanist of whom we may well be truly proud.
Yours etc
Caithness Violinist ( Robert MacKay) "

and again on the 14/ 6/1950

" Sir -
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate and thank the Thurso Memorial Seats Committee on their decision to name a seat after the great geologist and botanist, Robert Dick. It is a fitting tribute to the imperishable memory of a humble baker who, by his knowledge of, and his love for, the flowers and rocks of this rugged shire, won fame and renown for himself for all time by his labours in these fields of science and research. For classifying and naming his grand collection of flowers and rocks etc., that were it not for him, might never have been heard of or seen. It was left to Robert Dick to take over this gargantuan task and how well he did it we Caithnessians and indeed the whole of Scotland only dimly appreciate long after their discoverer is dead.

Yours etc.
Caithness Violinist ( Robert MacKay ) "


E&OE trinkie

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 20:57
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/traillst1.gif

Above Traill Street around the 1960's and below Thurso Fruit Store in Sir John Square around 1920

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THURSOFRUITSTORES.jpg

Jeemag_USA
06-Jul-07, 21:01
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/traillst1.gif

Above Traill Street around the 1960's and below Thurso Fruit Store in Sir John Square around 1920

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/THURSOFRUITSTORES.jpg

Can someone tell me if I am right or wrong, the shop on the corner in the traill street photo, right next to St Johns Square, I seem to remember it being the County Stores before it moved up to Princes St across from Bews Butcher, I seem to remember going in there for fishing tackle, am I right or is it my imagination??

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 21:38
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1927-02-OTMARKETSTSAPICNIC.jpg

Above a Salvation Army Picnic in 1927 leaving from the Army Hall going up Market Street. Below is a Line of Sillocks from Thurso taken from a Postcard posted in 1922.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1922-07-OTPOSTCARDALINEOFSILLOCKS.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 21:42
The Pentland Hotel, Princess Street, seen here in 1920 with road works of some kind taking place outside.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1920-45-OTPENTLANDHOTELPRINCESST.jpg

Below is a Dougas side car with motorbike outside Lindsays shop in 1920. If you look to the bottom right hand corner you will see a Jack Russell sitting up on his hind legs looking up the street.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1920-41-OT-ADOUGLASMOTORBIKESIDECAR.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 21:49
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1954-05-OTHIGHSTTHESHIPSWHEELBROCKS.jpg

Above the Ships Wheel when it was situated in High Street, further up is Brocks and then Liptons which later moved in 1971 and was replaced with Nobles. Liptons then moved into Rotterdam Street and became Thurso's first supermarket. This photograph was taken just when the shop fittings was being added.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1971-10-OTLIPTONSSUPERMARKET.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 21:53
Another view of Liptons shop in High Street in 1930 with Mr MacKenzie the manager at the door.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1930-08-OTLIPTONSSHOPMRMACKENZIEMAN.jpg

Below a view of Traill Street in the late 1940's with The Empire Tea Rooms on the corner. Just before that you will see the petrol pump which used to stand outside Lindsays shop.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1950-03-OTTRAILST-PETROLPUMP.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 21:57
Below is Sir John's Square in 1967 with Thurso's first set of traffic lights in the foreground. In the background you can see the bandstand in the square. The Reg of the Mini is SK8083.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1967-03-OTSIRJOHNSSQREDMINISK8083CO.jpg

Below is High Street also in 1967. You can see one of the buses outside the stance they had at the Town Hall.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1967-02-OTAUNTY-LST501SK9576.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:02
A view taken from Rotterdam Street looking up Traill Street and to the right the junction of Olrig Street around 1960.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1960-53-OTTRAIL-OLRIG-ROTTERDAMJCT.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1960-48-OTTRAILSTREET-NOTRAFFICLIGH.jpg

Above another view of Traill Street around 1960, notice Hamish Camerons shop at the corner of the Royal Hotel.

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:09
Kirk View but orginally part of Back Shore Street in 1969. There was plans at one time to turn these buildings in to a museum but it never came to be.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1969-03-OTOLDHOUSESBEHINDSTPETERS.jpg

Below Charlie Angus the butchers in June 1967 (now Gunn's Shoe shop).

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1967-04-OTJUNE67-CHARLIEANGUSBUTCHE.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:15
Hamlyn's shop in Couper Street in 1971, now what was the old kiln was mostly demolished and rebuilt as flats.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1971-09-OTHAMLYNSHOPCOUPERST.jpg

Below the old offices of the Gas Works at Meadow Lane, now the municipal car park outside the Co-Op.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1971-03-OTOLDGASOFFICESGASWORKS.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:19
A view of Fred Shearers, Lindsays and the Ships Wheel from Olrig Street in 1972.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1971-04-OTFREDSHEARER-LINDSEYIRONMO.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:21
A view of Fred Shearers in 1977.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1977-04-OTFREDSHEARERDRAPERYSHOP.jpg

Jeemag_USA
06-Jul-07, 22:26
Brilliant. Can these not be made into a book just for Thurso, maybe with recollections from people in the toon. I would love to have a book full of these.

I remember going to Fred Shearers with my mum and getting my school clothes on tick!

I also remember going to Pentland Printers in two different places to get bags of cut off paper for playing with, I remember when it was on St Clair Street and also on the one way street leading from Olrig Street down to Woolworths, it was just up from Steven's Chip shop. Oh my goodness that remids me how much I loved Steven's chip shop [lol]

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:31
Below the Police Station in Olrig Street in 1977. The first Police Station in Thurso was in Wilson Street.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1977-03-OTTHEOLDPOLICESTATIONBUILDI.jpg

Also in 1977 MacKays the Ironmongers in High Street, now Buttress's.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1977-01-OTMACKAYIRONMONGERS.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:38
Below High Street and Rotterdam Street in 1972, the shop with the crow stepped gable showing was Caithness Crafts.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1972-01-OTHIGHST-ROTTERDAMST.jpg

The Marine Inn in 1971. Notice the kegs outside the door!

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1971-19-OTMARINEINN.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:42
The Braehead with Fishermans Rest in 1971 and in my opinion a bloody shame it was demolished. Was a nice wee feature at the harbour.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1971-18-OTTHEOLDBRAEHEAD-FISHERMANS.jpg

Below is the store which was used by the Ships Wheel, seen here in 1984 now Dunnets garage. The brewery is in the background.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1984-02-OTSTOREFORSHIPSWHEEL.jpg

thirsaloon
06-Jul-07, 22:44
Ships Wheel in 1990.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/1990-03-OTOLDSHIPSWHEEL.jpg

Thats the last of my photographs for a wee while now. Hope the later piccys from the 1950' - 1990's bring back a few memories. Remember feel free to add to this with what you remember about the shops etc or send me a message with them!

Sporran
07-Jul-07, 04:41
I would have loved to have seen Thurso Castle in its former glory! It was beautiful! We moved to Thurso in the late 50s, when I was a toddler. When I was growing up in Thurso, I always assumed the castle had been in ruins for many years. Little did I know that was not the case!




I have never seen the castle in all its glory - really beautiful. What a shame it didn't last. I remember Lord Sinclair starting to redo the roof but then found that it was too expensive, so he demolished the work he had done so far.





The Sinclair estate removed the roof to prevent them paying tax on it. Sad, innit?

It is indeed sad, Pepsi, but the Sinclairs were not the only ones who had to resort to such drastic measures. In the late 1990s, I saw a BBC documentary series called "The Aristocracy". In one of the episodes, it explained that in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the British government started to impose exorbitant property taxes on the estates of landed gentry. This forced the aristocratic owners of castles and stately homes to do one of three things.

a. Sell their beautiful historic homes that had been in the family for many generations.

b. Open them to the public, so they could pay the high taxes with the revenue.

c. Remove a roof, or in some way partly demolish the buildings, thereby considerably lowering their property tax liability.

I think it's a crying shame that many had to resort to the latter, and indeed it must have been a heartwrenching choice to make! I found it heartbreaking myself just to see the before and after pictures of these castles and stately homes. It seemed like such a waste, ruining these beautiful architectural achievements. But that is the sad reality, I'm afraid! :(

plasticjock
07-Jul-07, 11:19
Thanks for starting this super thread Thirsaloon. Lots of memories evoked by some of the posted pictures.
If I get the settings right here are a couple more that may be of interest. The sources are either family pics or old postcards.

High Street looking towards Swanson Street circa 1910
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/HighStreetSwansonStreetCirca1910.jpg

Springpark 1958
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/ThursoSpringpark1958-1.jpg

I have some more to post if this thread stays live.

Bobinovich
07-Jul-07, 17:47
Anybody know what happened to the fountain(?) in the 'High Street looking towards Swanson Street circa 1910' picture? There's something round at the promenade next to the pavillion but memory fails me as to whether it is the same object?

thirsaloon
07-Jul-07, 18:40
Anybody know what happened to the fountain(?) in the 'High Street looking towards Swanson Street circa 1910' picture? There's something round at the promenade next to the pavillion but memory fails me as to whether it is the same object?

Yes that is the same object Bob, it was moved in the 1950's by three men one of which was my father. They hired a truck from the late William Coghill of Dunnets Garage. It is in three sections and was moved to free up some parking space. It was recently refurbished by Robert Maitland. It was erected in the memory of Dr. John Grant Smith a highly respected doctor in Thurso.

Bobinovich
07-Jul-07, 18:52
Sheesh! That means some of my grey matter does still work - that's good news - I think :D

Ricco
07-Jul-07, 20:17
Thirsaloon - brilliant thread. lots of great memories and have loved every picture. Ta:cool:

plasticjock
07-Jul-07, 20:42
Yes that is the same object Bob, it was moved in the 1950's by three men one of which was my father. They hired a truck from the late William Coghill of Dunnets Garage. It is in three sections and was moved to free up some parking space. It was recently refurbished by Robert Maitland. It was erected in the memory of Dr. John Grant Smith a highly respected doctor in Thurso.

There are some lovely pictures of the refurbished monument elsewhere on the Caithness website at:
www.caithness.org/atoz/thurso/ photogallery/index.php?gallery=64&image=0

Referring back to the picture of the Ellan Bridge opening, my brother tells me he seems to remember somebody getting fined for riding a vehicle across shortly after it opened. He doesn't know whether it was a motorbike or car. I can't remember the occasion but he is convinced it happened. Anyone confirm or deny the tale?


From Springpark circa 1890's
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/fromSpringpark1900.jpg


Not quite sure about the location for this picture. It was found amongst my late Granny's pics. The chap standing in the doorway is believed to be Joe Cardosi's brother (or half-brother) Peter and the shop could be in either Swanson Street or the High Street.
Any info would be welcome.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/UnsureThurso.jpg

gleeber
07-Jul-07, 21:15
Referring back to the picture of the Ellan Bridge opening, my brother tells me he seems to remember somebody getting fined for riding a vehicle across shortly after it opened. He doesn't know whether it was a motorbike or car. I can't remember the occasion but he is convinced it happened. Anyone confirm or deny the tale?





Not quite sure about the location for this picture. It was found amongst my late Granny's pics. The chap standing in the doorway is believed to be Joe Cardosi's brother (or half-brother) Peter and the shop could be in either Swanson Street or the High Street.

I recall one story about someone riding their bicycle over the Ellan bridge. The sherriff took a dim view because the guy who was caught was the same guy who painted the no cycling sign. Relative of Scotsboy I recall.
The other guy was Peter Piericinni. He was a family friend of the Cardosis. The shop was sandwiched between Mackay the butchers and bottom Joes.

corgiman
07-Jul-07, 21:41
Daughter says they were told in school that someone drove a mini over the ellon bridge not long after it opened.

Sig
07-Jul-07, 23:16
[QUOTE=gleeber;239151]I recall one story about someone riding their bicycle over the Ellan bridge. The sherriff took a dim view because the guy who was caught was the same guy who painted the no cycling sign. Relative of Scotsboy I recall.
When i was an apprentice painter and decorator during the mid seventies i remember my foreman telling me that he had to paint the no cycling signs on the ellan bridge he did the sign on the sir archibald side of the bridge and then he cycled over to the other end of the bridge and low and behold there was a policeman who did him for cycling over the bridge,he went to court and got fined 10 shillings(50 PENCE)for his crime.

plasticjock
07-Jul-07, 23:58
[QUOTE=gleeber;239151]I recall one story about someone riding their bicycle over the Ellan bridge. The sherriff took a dim view because the guy who was caught was the same guy who painted the no cycling sign. Relative of Scotsboy I recall.
When i was an apprentice painter and decorator during the mid seventies i remember my foreman telling me that he had to paint the no cycling signs on the ellan bridge he did the sign on the sir archibald side of the bridge and then he cycled over to the other end of the bridge and low and behold there was a policeman who did him for cycling over the bridge,he went to court and got fined 10 shillings(50 PENCE)for his crime.

Probably PC H*rp*r.

thirsaloon
07-Jul-07, 23:59
There was a car driven over the bridge, just before they built the sides. I forget who it was now though, wouldnt take me long to find out!

Dynamic Sounds
08-Jul-07, 00:42
Below the Police Station in Olrig Street in 1977. The first Police Station in Thurso was in Wilson Street.


Where abouts in Olrig Street was the old Police station? I am to young to rememember anything but the station that is there now.

Gleber2
08-Jul-07, 01:51
Horace Henderson of Scrabster farm drove a Mini over the Ellon Bridge before it was opened and the bollards put in place at each end.

Gleber2
08-Jul-07, 01:53
Where abouts in Olrig Street was the old Police station? I am to young to rememember anything but the station that is there now.
It is in the same place but a new building.

plasticjock
08-Jul-07, 11:17
..............The other guy was Peter Piericinni. He was a family friend of the Cardosis. The shop was sandwiched between Mackay the butchers and bottom Joes.


Thanks Gleeber...much appreciated.
As far as I know Peter was interned during WW2 'cause he never became a British National. Joe did and did military service during the Great War.
Of course, I stand to be corrected.

Frelaco
08-Jul-07, 13:45
This is a picture of my Gt Grandfather, James (Bunt) Munro (front right), taking part in a procession for the King. Can you confirm that this is taken in Thurso and passing the same Shearers shop referred to in previous threads? Also does anyone have any pictures of what was the "Temperence Hotel"? Thanks.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z92/FRELACO/BuntMunroKingsProcession.jpg

Gleber2
08-Jul-07, 13:52
Thanks Gleeber...much appreciated.
As far as I know Peter was interned during WW2 'cause he never became a British National. Joe did and did military service during the Great War.
Of course, I stand to be corrected.

The Piericinni family, in Wick in the Twenties, received the first radio signal picked up in Wick and the first tune they heard was "Valencia". My father was there at the time as he was a friend of Peter and family.

thirsaloon
08-Jul-07, 15:40
This is a picture of my Gt Grandfather, James (Bunt) Munro (front right), taking part in a procession for the King. Can you confirm that this is taken in Thurso and passing the same Shearers shop referred to in previous threads? Also does anyone have any pictures of what was the "Temperence Hotel"? Thanks.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z92/FRELACO/BuntMunroKingsProcession.jpg


Hi Frelaco

Yes that is the same shop. The high wall in the distance went around the National Bank, now Council Office. I have a photograph of the Temperance Hotel. It was in Princess Street. I will dig it out later for you.

thirsaloon
08-Jul-07, 15:44
Thirsaloon - brilliant thread. lots of great memories and have loved every picture. Ta:cool:


Thanks Ricco!

Glad you enjoyed it, I will put some more up later though. :D

Sporran
08-Jul-07, 21:20
This is a picture of my Gt Grandfather, James (Bunt) Munro (front right), taking part in a procession for the King. Can you confirm that this is taken in Thurso and passing the same Shearers shop referred to in previous threads? Also does anyone have any pictures of what was the "Temperence Hotel"? Thanks.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z92/FRELACO/BuntMunroKingsProcession.jpg




Hi Frelaco

Yes that is the same shop. The high wall in the distance went around the National Bank, now Council Office. I have a photograph of the Temperance Hotel. It was in Princess Street. I will dig it out later for you.

Thanks for the link to that interesting photo, Frelaco! :) Do you have any idea what year it was taken? I am wondering if the procession was to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902, or King George V in 1911?

Metalattakk
08-Jul-07, 22:38
Was it not to celebrate the visit of George V? I seem to remember a photo of the George V being driven up past the Station Hotel on his way to the railway station.

Frelaco
09-Jul-07, 09:56
I think this must have been a procession for the visit of King George V as my grandfather was only born in 1911.
Looking forward to searching the rest of your pictures Thirsaloon - I see you've started a Wick thread.
Thanks to the patience and help of "Metalattakk" and "bky" I will now be able to post more pictures I may find without the stress I had with adding the procession one!;)
I found this link which states 1915. http://www.gwpda.org/naval/kgvscapa.htm

Lavenderblue2
09-Jul-07, 13:18
A few old aerial images taken in the mid 70's coming up...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/Thurso1.jpg

ThirsaYank
09-Jul-07, 13:35
Below is a staff photograph of Dan Murray's Lemonade Factory which was just of Shore Street (turnpike in the background). The piccy has Willie Doull, Barbara Doull, Lena MacKay, Dodie McPhee, Dan is at the front with the glasses and cap.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/LEMONADEFACTORYSTAFF.jpg

I just found this thread last night. My wife's mother was Barbara Doull and her uncle was Willie Doull. Can you tell me when this picture was taken? Also, my wife's not sure which one is her mother and uncle (of course she didn't know her well when she was young and unmarried http://forum.caithness.org/images/icons/icon7.gif). This is such a great thread, we sat for hours last night looking at it. I was stationed n Thurso in the 60' and 70's. Thanks s much for sharing these wonderful memories. And you do need a seprate web site, or at least a section somewhere in the Org.

Lavenderblue2
09-Jul-07, 15:20
Here are a few more of these aerial photos taken during the early to mid 70's. There are quite a few changes to be seen in places.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/Thurso2.jpg

Lavenderblue2
09-Jul-07, 15:23
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/Thurso3.jpg

Lavenderblue2
09-Jul-07, 15:26
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/Scrabster1.jpg

Lavenderblue2
09-Jul-07, 15:28
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/Scrabster2.jpg

Lavenderblue2
09-Jul-07, 15:30
This is the old St Ola coming into Scrabster

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/OldStOla.jpg



http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/ScrabsterLighthouse.jpg

Lavenderblue2
09-Jul-07, 15:33
The final one is of Thurso East.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/maggie1947/ThursoEast.jpg


My grateful thanks to Bobinovich - I couldn't have done this without him!!

LB :)

ian.in.germany
09-Jul-07, 16:10
I lived in the first floor flat above Lindsay's from 1963 to 1969. My dad worked in the shop. It was a good place to live, right in the middle of town. Our bright red front door (now gone) was between the two shop doors. I guess the flats must now be accessed from the rear of the building.

trinkie
09-Jul-07, 16:15
Great views L'blue.....My grandfather was one of the first Pursers on the St Ola.
The little shop in Scrabster sold those wonderful Pandrops !
My father worked at the Oil Depot in Scrabster - It opened in the mid 1950s to serve Dounreay and the north.
I sang in the Mission Hall at Scrabster.
From a previous picture of Fred Shearer's - I still have a black silk scarf I bought there in the early 1960s - and long elbow length gloves to match !!
I also have Fair Isle gloves and Tammy bought in the 1960s and which I wore last winter - such quality.
Hetty Munro's picture reminded me of a Lamp I bought there in the late 1950s ( I must find it - it's in a box in the garage !)

Memories, memories !
Trinkie

trinkie
09-Jul-07, 20:05
ThirsoYank.... Nice picture. The date I think is late 1940s - 1950s.
I'm guessing by the Overalls the women are wearing.
Most women wore an Apron like that when they were doing their housework, so another guess - the picture was taken in the morning. In the afternoons, usually no aprons were worn, apart from a half "tea apron" which was much prettier with a bit of lace on it !

What a happy, smiling, bunch they were !
Trinkie

Sporran
09-Jul-07, 20:15
Lavenderblue2, your 70s aerial photos of Thurso, Scrabster and Holborn Head are fabulous! :) That's pretty much how Thurso was when I left in 1978. Your pic in post number 195 must have been taken before 1975 or 1976, as there are no Upper Burnside houses in that one. The original Weigh Inn is smaller than I remembered! Here's a link to much more recent aerial photos of Thurso - all taken since 2000, I believe. It would be interesting to compare your photos with these, and see how Thurso has grown over the years!

http://www.caithness.org/atoz/thurso/aerialthurso/index.htm


Below is a view of Scrabster, Holborn Head and Thurso Bay taken from the Pennyland housing estate in early 1978. You can barely make out the Orkney Island of Hoy on the horizon, due to the haze. Usually, it was far more visible than this. That pinkish red building in Scrabster is the old lifeboat house. That might be the old St Ola docked at the pier nearby, but I'm not 100% sure. The buildings behind the house in the middle of the photo are part of the Upper Burnside housing estate, which was started in the mid 70s.

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8131/thursobay1978axe8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

south view 7
09-Jul-07, 20:40
Heres some from a weeker.http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u217/southview7/thurso0011.jpg

thirsaloon
09-Jul-07, 20:46
ThirsoYank.... Nice picture. The date I think is late 1940s - 1950s.
I'm guessing by the Overalls the women are wearing.
Most women wore an Apron like that when they were doing their housework, so another guess - the picture was taken in the morning. In the afternoons, usually no aprons were worn, apart from a half "tea apron" which was much prettier with a bit of lace on it !

What a happy, smiling, bunch they were !
Trinkie


From the top of my head I think the picture was taken in 1948/49 but I would have to check. My great Aunt is also in the photograph, she stayed in the Turnpike in Shore Street. Her father (my great grandfather) was the last Thurso Harbour master and pilot to direct schooners into the harbour. When he first started the job there were five other men until it was left to him.

His duties also included making sure everything around the harbour was in order, doing all the paperwork for what boats came in, when they left, what they were carrying etc, lighting the lamps at the pier, weighing coal etc that came of the boats. There was a weighbridge outside his office at the ship chandlers, now a surf shop. He was paid on a quartly basis the grand sum of £3:10:0.

plasticjock
12-Jul-07, 11:13
Seems to have gone a bit quiet here....there must be lots more pictures to be posted.
Here's a couple more:
This one is from the Traill Street in the 30's. I assume the omnibus is a Thurso to Wick service?
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/HighStreet1930s.jpg

This is Princess Street from a postcard posted in 1918 but I feel the picture is a bit earlier than that.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/PrincessStreetcirca1910.jpg

gollach
12-Jul-07, 18:31
Seems to have gone a bit quiet here....there must be lots more pictures to be posted.
Here's a couple more:
This one is from the Traill Street in the 30's. I assume the omnibus is a Thurso to Wick service?
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/HighStreet1930s.jpg


Great photo!

It looks like the bottom of Rotterdam street, maybe taken from somewhere outside what is now Buttress's shop in the precinct.

plasticjock
12-Jul-07, 19:38
Great photo!

It looks like the bottom of Rotterdam street, maybe taken from somewhere outside what is now Buttress's shop in the precinct.

Of course it is....my apologies....doh!

Here are a couple more, one of which is a family puzzler.

This is Thurso Bridge in 1954, I think, during the big freeze.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/snow0113bw-1.jpg

This one looks like it was taken in the 1930's, looking down Olrig Street towards Traill Street/Rotterdam Street.
Does anybody recognise the gent in the picture?
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/ScanImage0117.jpg

jings00
12-Jul-07, 21:34
I've been informed that the chap's name is Alistair (not sure of last name) and he used to work at the cattle mart, and he'd chase you if you tried to cut thro the mart for a short cut.

highlander
12-Jul-07, 21:40
Well done south view 7, you seem to have a great collection of wick and thurso, keep them coming please.

Sporran
12-Jul-07, 21:55
Well done south view 7, you seem to have a great collection of wick and thurso, keep them coming please.

I echo highlander's sentiments, south view 7. Many thanks also to plasticjock, who has posted some fabulous old photos of Thurso as well! I like the large size of your photos, pj, as they really show up the details! :D

I wonder if the gent in your photo above had a son who looked a lot like him? The man's face looks familiar to me, but I was not around in the 1930s!

plasticjock
12-Jul-07, 23:37
I've been informed that the chap's name is Alistair (not sure of last name) and he used to work at the cattle mart, and he'd chase you if you tried to cut thro the mart for a short cut.

Thanks for the info jings00.
There was a chap working from the mart in the 60's with a similar aid attached to his boot. I used to see him when they were driving (droving?) the sheep down to the riverside slaughterhouse. Are you referring to the 30's chap or the 60's?

Does anyone have any pics of the High School from the late Fifties through the Sixties?
Some staff I remember from then (please excuse mispellings):
Mrs Halliday (French), Mr Budge, Mr Malcolm (Maths), Mr Kidd (P.E), Mrs Dunne (Science), Mrs Gunn (English), Miss Ryrie (English), Mr Fishbourne (Woodwork), Mr Lafferty (Music) Donny & Joe (Janitors).

Thurso Boating Pond late 1950's:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/boatingpondthurso.jpg

Lavenderblue2
13-Jul-07, 07:53
Hello Plasticjock

The name of the man with the built up shoe is Marwood Sutherland - that is according to 'Times Gone By' produced by the John O'Groat Journal! I was looking for something in the book this morning when here he was!

LB

Frelaco
13-Jul-07, 11:33
I found this link when "trawling the net". I haven't a clue where it was taken but thought it might be of interest to someone.
http://www.caithnesscc.co.uk/Photos/Old%20Photos/CaithnessCC1880s.jpg

gollach
13-Jul-07, 13:51
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/ScanImage0117.jpg

I showed the picture to my Dad and he says that the man is indeed Marwood Sutherland. He told me that Marwood used to have a thing about picking stones off the road and moving them to the gutter. If you look at the picture you can even see a collection of little stones close to his feet at the roadside.

He thought that Marwood used to sell Rowat's tea to my granny. Door-to-door I think?

plasticjock
13-Jul-07, 14:31
Hello Plasticjock

The name of the man with the built up shoe is Marwood Sutherland - that is according to 'Times Gone By' produced by the John O'Groat Journal! I was looking for something in the book this morning when here he was!

LB

Hullo Lavenderblue2,
Thanks for that information. Was there a picture of him in the book?
From what I have been able to gather since reading your reply, Marwood Sutherland was quite a well-known individual.
He was a member of an flexible writing group that met infreqently in Thurso and was quite a correspondent to newpapers and periodicals about local (Caithness) issues. According to the 1901 census he was born in Halkirk around 1868/69 and was living at 1 Houstry Road, Halkirk where his father and married brother were listed as joint tenants of the farm. Marwood's status/occupation is listed as single/journalist.
I'm still puzzled as to why his picture was in my granny's collection....perhaps the group would meet up at Joe Cardosi's or the Ship's Wheel?


Can I just mention this link for old piccies of Thurso that I found....it's a bit of a nightmare to navigate around but worth the effort.

http://pic1.piczo.com/thursopicturehouse?g=22625450

plasticjock
13-Jul-07, 14:35
I echo highlander's sentiments, south view 7. Many thanks also to plasticjock, who has posted some fabulous old photos of Thurso as well! I like the large size of your photos, pj, as they really show up the details! :D

I wonder if the gent in your photo above had a son who looked a lot like him? The man's face looks familiar to me, but I was not around in the 1930s!


Me neither Sporran, but thanks for the comments.
And thanks to all the posters with special thanks to Thirsaloon for starting this thread off.

Whitewater
13-Jul-07, 15:03
What a wonderful thread, I've just had my first look at it today. Brings back many memories, being born in Grove lane in 1942 and living in Thurso until 1963, I loved the ode to Dan Murray posted by "Gorgiman" (I think) my apologies if I got it wrong. I spent many happy days in the Lemonade factory with Dan's grandson Bobo Murray (Robert).

Anne x
13-Jul-07, 15:30
Has anything been done with this building it remained empty for many years :roll:

Lavenderblue2
13-Jul-07, 17:32
[quote=plasticjock;241210]Hullo Lavenderblue2,
Thanks for that information. Was there a picture of him in the book?
From what I have been able to gather since reading your reply, Marwood Sutherland was quite a well-known individual.
He was a member of an flexible writing group that met infreqently in Thurso and was quite a correspondent to newpapers and periodicals about local (Caithness) issues. According to the 1901 census he was born in Halkirk around 1868/69 and was living at 1 Houstry Road, Halkirk where his father and married brother were listed as joint tenants of the farm. Marwood's status/occupation is listed as single/journalist.
I'm still puzzled as to why his picture was in my granny's collection....perhaps the group would meet up at Joe Cardosi's or the Ship's Wheel?

Yes Plasticjock, the photo in the book was the same one as yours.

Thank you for all the interesting facts about Marwood Sutherland - I wonder what the group used to write about and what happened to their work.

LB

thirsaloon
13-Jul-07, 20:58
Me neither Sporran, but thanks for the comments.
And thanks to all the posters with special thanks to Thirsaloon for starting this thread off.


Great pictures Jock!

Delighted to see them!! :D

Marwood Sutherland was one of the driving forces for getting the lead lettered inscription (which has a mistake on it) about Robert Dick done on his house. His letters appeared often in the local papers (Groat, Courier and Northern Ensign).

wifie
13-Jul-07, 23:36
This is a fantastic thread and I love popping in to see what has been added. I have seen places I forgot existed and my children have been delighted to see Thurso of old. Thank you so much Thirsaloon and keep up the good work. :D

trinkie
14-Jul-07, 07:33
It's a wonderful photo of Marwood Sutherland and now - prompted by something said on the Thread, I have found a couple of his poems.
I'll write one here but the others I'll put on the Lit Page.

O Erin, Fair Erin.
by Marwood Sutherland
from the Caithness Courier 19th Sept 1951.

O Erin, Fair Erin, the land I adore,
O Erin, dear Erin, I love thee ashore;
I love thee, O Erin, green, rugged and wild -
No less could adore thee, thine own native child!
The gosson's warm-hearted, thy colleens so fair
For wit, grace and beauty, none with them compare!
So merry, so happy, so sparkling with glee,
Sure home of my spirit, my heart warms to thee!

Lavenderblue2
14-Jul-07, 09:20
I'm still puzzled as to why his picture was in my granny's collection....perhaps the group would meet up at Joe Cardosi's or the Ship's Wheel.

Have you read Marwood Sutherland poem's which Trinkie has so kindly put on the Lit page? Perhaps your granny was that 'Thurso Lassie' or am I just being an old romantic...

This thread was so very interesting to start with but the picture of Marwood added an extra twist - well done Plasticjock and very well done Trinkie in finding those poems.

LB

plasticjock
14-Jul-07, 12:17
I showed the picture to my Dad and he says that the man is indeed Marwood Sutherland. He told me that Marwood used to have a thing about picking stones off the road and moving them to the gutter. If you look at the picture you can even see a collection of little stones close to his feet at the roadside.

He thought that Marwood used to sell Rowat's tea to my granny. Door-to-door I think?

Thanks for that info, gollach.
I wonder if it was an eccentricity or whether he was looking for some stone in particular that may have dropped from the back of a scaffie-cairt or a quarry waggon?
He must have taken a lot of hassling from the cheeky young loons, and possibly not-so-young loons of the town over the years, poor chap, about his leg-aid.
I know we 'cheeked' the similarly accoutred sheep-drover in the 60's until he threw stones at us from his pocket, something that shames me today.

plasticjock
14-Jul-07, 12:21
Have you read Marwood Sutherland poem's which Trinkie has so kindly put on the Lit page? Perhaps your granny was that 'Thurso Lassie' or am I just being an old romantic...
LB

My granny?....now there's a thought, alas too late to ask now.

Lavenderblue2
14-Jul-07, 14:02
I wonder who could tell me where the Temperance Hotel would have been situated in Thurso in 1946?

I have often wondered about this as my parents spent their wedding night there.

A photo would be a real bonus.

LB

thirsaloon
14-Jul-07, 19:05
I wonder who could tell me where the Temperance Hotel would have been situated in Thurso in 1946?

I have often wondered about this as my parents spent their wedding night there.

A photo would be a real bonus.

LB


Hello Lavender


I think it was at 17 Princess Street, if I remember rightly it was known as Gairs Temeperance Hotel. It was situated at the Holborn Hotel and then moved across the road to just beside the top Co-Op or visa versa. I would have to check up to see.

thirsaloon
14-Jul-07, 19:08
This is a fantastic thread and I love popping in to see what has been added. I have seen places I forgot existed and my children have been delighted to see Thurso of old. Thank you so much Thirsaloon and keep up the good work. :D


Thanks for that Wifie!

Glad it has been of interest to you. :D

Lavenderblue2
14-Jul-07, 19:10
I had a feeling that if anyone would know it would be you Thirsaloon - maybe you'll even have a photo somewhere.

I thought it may have been the Holborn but wasn't too sure.

I look forward to hearing more.

Thank you LB

thirsaloon
14-Jul-07, 19:16
I had a feeling that if anyone would know it would be you Thirsaloon - maybe you'll even have a photo somewhere.

I thought it may have been the Holborn but wasn't too sure.

I look forward to hearing more.

Thank you LB

:lol: Thank you Lavender!

I do have a photograph of it at the other site but not the Holborn if thats any use!

plasticjock
14-Jul-07, 19:29
Hello Lavender


I think it was at 17 Princess Street, if I remember rightly it was known as Gairs Temeperance Hotel. It was situated at the Holborn Hotel and then moved across the road to just beside the top Co-Op or visa versa. I would have to check up to see.


Yes that's right, thirsaloon. It was situated on the corner of East Church Street and Princes Street.
On the back of the picture postcard below, stamped Dec 1918, the writer Mowat had written to his parents in Orkney that he'd stayed the night at the Temperance and was catching the ferry the next day. He'd marked the hotel with a blue cross which I'd removed 'cause it was unsightly.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/TemperenceHotel.jpg

Another picture from around the turn of the twentieth century, entitled 'Dividing the catch at Thurso'.
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/thursodividingthecatch1910.jpg

bobbyborax
14-Jul-07, 20:56
This is the only photograph I have of the shop, taken at the same time as the previous ones.


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa235/thirsaloon/SUTH1.jpg
This was also Maurice Harrington the photographer who was there for many years.

bobbyborax
14-Jul-07, 21:06
Maurice Harrington the Photographer was in there for many years.

ThirsaYank
15-Jul-07, 14:34
That's what I thought I remembered too. Maurice took my weddng photos. "BoobyBorax" - any relation to "Billy Borax" of Shore St?

Bobbyian
15-Jul-07, 19:17
After maurice Harringtone wasn't there a Gold-Smith in there about 71 ?

gollach
15-Jul-07, 20:32
After maurice Harringtone wasn't there a Gold-Smith in there about 71 ?

Yes, Gunn's Jewellers was there in the 70s until they moved into the new building at the bottom of Olrig Street. I think they had the shop that is the Hydro Electric shop now.

Sporran
16-Jul-07, 00:32
That's what I thought I remembered too. Maurice took my weddng photos. "BoobyBorax" - any relation to "Billy Borax" of Shore St?

Maurice Harrington took my wedding photos also. That was in 1976, when his shop was on Traill Street, approximately across the street from Tiffany's Boutique and the Royal Hotel. Is he still alive and in Thurso?

Sporran
16-Jul-07, 02:08
Hello Lavender

I think it was at 17 Princess Street, if I remember rightly it was known as Gairs Temeperance Hotel. It was situated at the Holborn Hotel and then moved across the road to just beside the top Co-Op or visa versa. I would have to check up to see.




Yes that's right, thirsaloon. It was situated on the corner of East Church Street and Princes Street.

In "Thurso Then & Now" (1972) by Falconer Waters and Donald Grant, they state that it was in the upper storey of the Co-operative Building, which is where plasticjock indicated in his old photo. They didn't mention what year the hotel closed, though.

plasticjock
16-Jul-07, 10:50
In "Thurso Then & Now" (1972) by Falconer Waters and Donald Grant, they state that it was in the upper storey of the Co-operative Building, which is where plasticjock indicated in his old photo. They didn't mention what year the hotel closed, though.

Just a further titbit of info re: Temperance Hotel from the Highland Archive
'Among those officers who had taken part in the annual camp manoeuvres of April 1912, was a certain Donald Manson, Captain with the 5th Seaforth Highlanders, a seasoned territorial soldier with 11 years experience. Born at Whitefield Farm, Murkle, in November 1867, Donald was the tenth child of George and Janet Manson. In 1883 the family moved to a house at 30 Princes Street, Thurso, not far from the Temperance Hotel owned by Donald Gair. Mr Gair had a bonnie daughter, Margaret, who caught the eye of young Donald Manson. The couple married in 1900 and settled down in Thurso to raise a family – they were to have six sons – and enjoy whatever social dividends accrued from Donald’s position as a manager at the Castletown Pavement Works.'

Lavenderblue2
16-Jul-07, 13:26
Thank you for the photo of Gair's Temperance Hotel Plasticjock and to you for your info Sporran - I will go to the library and take a look at Falconer Waters book - I've been meaning to do that ever since the book was highlighted on this forum a wee while ago.

I really feel with all this interest in Thurso's past that it would be such a fitting tribute to Falconer of this book was re-released - what does anybody else feel about that?

LB

Sporran
16-Jul-07, 16:56
Just a further titbit of info re: Temperance Hotel from the Highland Archive
'Among those officers who had taken part in the annual camp manoeuvres of April 1912, was a certain Donald Manson, Captain with the 5th Seaforth Highlanders, a seasoned territorial soldier with 11 years experience. Born at Whitefield Farm, Murkle, in November 1867, Donald was the tenth child of George and Janet Manson. In 1883 the family moved to a house at 30 Princes Street, Thurso, not far from the Temperance Hotel owned by Donald Gair. Mr Gair had a bonnie daughter, Margaret, who caught the eye of young Donald Manson. The couple married in 1900 and settled down in Thurso to raise a family – they were to have six sons – and enjoy whatever social dividends accrued from Donald’s position as a manager at the Castletown Pavement Works.'

Thanks for that interesting info, plasticjock.




Thank you for the photo of Gair's Temperance Hotel Plasticjock and to you for your info Sporran - I will go to the library and take a look at Falconer Waters book - I've been meaning to do that ever since the book was highlighted on this forum a wee while ago.

I really feel with all this interest in Thurso's past that it would be such a fitting tribute to Falconer of this book was re-released - what does anybody else feel about that?

LB

Also look for Donald Grant's "Caithness Notebook No.4 - Old Thurso" , first published in 1966, Lavenderblue2. It's a soft cover book about the same size as the Falconer Waters one, just a wee bit thicker. I would like to see them both re-released. They are fascinating books, and I have treasured my copies for years!

Lavenderblue2
17-Jul-07, 19:37
Hello Sporran

I do own Donald Grant's "Caithness Notebook No.4 - Old Thurso" but I agree with you that both these books would do well if they were released again. Even though I still haven't seen Falconer Waters book I would love to own one.

I must see what I can find to help keep this thread near the top - has anybody else got any pics to share?

LB

Sporran
18-Jul-07, 07:35
Here's a pic of Pennyland Primary School taken in 1978, still looking as it did when it first opened in 1962. I was so proud back then to be starting Primary 3 in that brand new, modern school! :)
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/7313/pennylandprimaryschool1zo0.jpg

Lavenderblue2
18-Jul-07, 08:34
Great Pic Sporran - both of my children went to Pennyland School although I think they are just slightly older than you - now my two grandchildren are there...

Tempus fugit!

LB

stivagorm
18-Jul-07, 21:47
These are really good pics Thirsaloon, would you be able to burn pics onto a disc if I give you one? Would be willing to pay for your valuable time. Have been wanting to start collecting pictures of Thurso for a long time

Regs

Stivagorm

Sporran
19-Jul-07, 06:19
Here's a pic of Pennyland Primary School taken in 1978, still looking as it did when it first opened in 1962. I was so proud back then to be starting Primary 3 in that brand new, modern school!
http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/7313/pennylandprimaryschool1zo0.jpg




Great Pic Sporran - both of my children went to Pennyland School although I think they are just slightly older than you - now my two grandchildren are there...

Tempus fugit!

LB

Yes, time flies alright, Lavenderblue2! I don't know what the rules are now, but when I was a pupil at Pennyland, the boys and girls had separate playgrounds. The boys' side was the one you see in my photo above, and the girls' was on the other side, as in Bill Fernie's fabulous photo from 2002, below. The school looks even more resplendent with its new roof and additional colours! Can anyone tell me when those renovations were done?

When I was a pupil at Pennyland in the 60s, the wooden building in the playground did not exist, and I see the old concrete rain shelter next to it is now fenced off.

Here's the link to the rest of Bill's Pennyland School photo gallery:
http://www.caithness.org/community/education/pennyland/photogallery/thumbs.htm?0?0


http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/4091/p11mi0.jpg

plasticjock
04-Aug-07, 23:48
My word, it's gone quiet on this thread!
Here's another pic from around the turn of the last century of Local quarrymen. I noticed the chappie on the back right is holding a wee child up.
There must still be more pics out there, surely?


http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/ScanImage005clean-1.jpg

Sporran
14-Aug-07, 06:08
Plasticjock, do you know the location of the quarry that the men worked at? Are any of your ancestors in the photo?

You're right, it *has* gone awfully quiet on this thread!! [para] I hope thirsaloon and others will be posting more photos in the near future!

plasticjock
14-Aug-07, 16:46
Plasticjock, do you know the location of the quarry that the men worked at? Are any of your ancestors in the photo?

You're right, it *has* gone awfully quiet on this thread!! [para] I hope thirsaloon and others will be posting more photos in the near future!

Well, it's believed to be the quarry at Murkle.
The chappie in the centre of the second row from the front is my great-grandad Andrew Munro.
On various documents his occupations are described as 'stonemason','flag-dresser', 'quarryman labourer', 'carter' , 'roadman', 'general labourer', 'scavenger' (scaffieman - my italics).
No doubt they reflect the general labour situation as quarrying declined from its peak years in the mid to late nineteenth century.
We guess the picture was probably taken around 1900, give or take 3 or 4 years, as he looks to be in his late twenties or early thirties.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/manowar_photos/Munro_Andrew.jpg