View Full Version : Thurso History
highlander
05-Apr-06, 17:31
With it being such a cauld day i thought i would catch up on some reading, and found some interesting facts about thurso.
As the new town developed during the 19th century many new names came into currency. In the last thirty years of the century Sir Tollemache Sinclair made a series of gifts to the town, the first of them four acres of ground at cairdstoft to be made into a recreation park for the townspeople. He wished it to be called Sir george park in memory of his father. That is still its offical name although it is perhaps to be better known as the dammies operation. It was originally low-lying ground liable to be flooded by high tides and spates but the river bank was built up with deposits of chips from the neighbouring flagstone yards and it became possible to convert the ground into playing fields with a popular name to remind us of th damming operation. For many years after it was opened the net profit from its grazing and its let to football and cricket teams was given to the Thurso Benevolent Society for distributon among the poor of the town. This field was presented in 1871 and twenty years later, on the occasion of the centenary of his fathers birth, Sir Tollemache extended the gift to its present size.
highlander
05-Apr-06, 17:44
The shop of Andersons, ironmongers, in Traill street, was built as the Masons Hall, for years the center of the towns social life. In its south wall, visible from the adjoining office, is a mile-stone, inscribed, "wick, 21 miles, Inverness 126 miles, Edinburgh 297 miles".
Before the Town Hall was bulit in 1871 the square in which it stands served as a market place. Farm produce was sold at the Cocky Stane, a flat stone set in the street on the east side of the square and probably the place referred to in old records as the poultry stand. At a similar stone on the west side, The Fish Stane now lies on the opposite side of the square.(you can still see this stone, above more store). Here also stood the pillory or cuckstool, erected in the 1698 by the Kirk Session "In the most publick place in the town for the disgracing and affronting of swearers and takers of the name of the Lord in vain". It stood there until well into the second half of the 18th century and did not confine its attentions to swearers and blasphemers. The old Mercat Cross stood in the same area and beside it, on occasion, criminals were hanged on a temporary gibblet.
The shop of Andersons, ironmongers, in Traill street, was built as the Masons Hall, for years the center of the towns social life. In its south wall, visible from the adjoining office, is a mile-stone, inscribed, "wick, 21 miles, Inverness 126 miles, Edinburgh 297 miles".
Before the Town Hall was bulit in 1871 the square in which it stands served as a market place. Farm produce was sold at the Cocky Stane, a flat stone set in the street on the east side of the square and probably the place referred to in old records as the poultry stand. At a similar stone on the west side, The Fish Stane now lies on the opposite side of the square.(you can still see this stone, above more store). Here also stood the pillory or cuckstool, erected in the 1698 by the Kirk Session "In the most publick place in the town for the disgracing and affronting of swearers and takers of the name of the Lord in vain". It stood there until well into the second half of the 18th century and did not confine its attentions to swearers and blasphemers. The old Mercat Cross stood in the same area and beside it, on occasion, criminals were hanged on a temporary gibblet.
Anderson's, I believe, was the town hall for a time as was the building now containing Regency Jewellers and the fish shop. Not sure op when. Anyone know?
1889
THURSO streets were bustling with activity as crowds visited the town to take part in the ''Muckle Marymas'' celebrations. Stalls laden with goods lined the pavements and various entertainments also put on shows, including a fire-eater and a magician.
from John O Groat Journal.
The Royal Hand Bell Ringers gave one of their most enjoyable entertainments in the Twon Hall Thurso. They played a number of pieces which captivated the audience.
from John O Groat Journal 1889
highlander
09-Apr-06, 14:23
there is a link to old maps of thurso and wick i posted earlier, i put it on a thread called scottish maps
Lavenderblue2
09-Apr-06, 14:24
The building which is Williamson's Chemist was once a chapel.
LB
Bobinovich
09-Apr-06, 15:41
The TTIA website (www.thurso.org (http://www.thurso.org)) has been updated to show the gala queens from 1950 to 1998. We're also looking for more information to put in their History section so if anyone has any information or anecdotes regarding the TTIA then feel free to mail it to townimprovements@thurso.org
The gallows hill of Thurso was in the rough ground to the west of Naver House. This is a typical site in a prominent position near the junction of the old roads to the south and west and within sight of the old road to Halkirk. There is a small grass covered mound which probably marks the spot; although there is also a tradition that hanging took place in the field opposite Scrabster Service Station. Who the Thurso executioner was and how often he was asked to perform his gruesome task is now lost. The only execution on record took place on the 25th May 1711 at the Mercat cross of Thurso. Where Robert Munro, who had been convicted at the Circuit Court in Inverness of complicity in the murder of Baillie Laurence Calder, met his end.
from Caithness Notebook No4 by Donald Grant:-
In 1837 the council decided to appoint an assistant to the Town Officer, who was feeling his years.
The officer was John Henderson, alias Ringie Mousie or Glossey or Buckteeth or Starney or Rotten Legs, who had been Town Officer and Crier for many years and about whom many good stories have been handed down.
He is remembered in verse :
There was a ball in Murray's Hall
Got up by Snuffy Diddle
Ringie Moozie kept the door
An Sookie Almon' played thefiddle.
The Pepsi Challenge
10-Apr-06, 13:48
The gallows hill of Thurso was in the rough ground to the west of Naver House. This is a typical site in a prominent position near the junction of the old roads to the south and west and within sight of the old road to Halkirk. There is a small grass covered mound which probably marks the spot; although there is also a tradition that hanging took place in the field opposite Scrabster Service Station. Who the Thurso executioner was and how often he was asked to perform his gruesome task is now lost. The only execution on record took place on the 25th May 1711 at the Mercat cross of Thurso. Where Robert Munro, who had been convicted at the Circuit Court in Inverness of complicity in the murder of Baillie Laurence Calder, met his end.
You might want to check Brownhill Road, too. Every person in every house there will tell you something eerie about their back gardens.
I also thought that Viewfirth green was a place used for hanging folk, no?
Bill Arif's former house used to belong to the clergy. It was also once Castlegreen Castle. I've been in the loft and there's still lots of evidence trailing back to when it was first built. A magnificent structure. Apparently the big mound of earth outback was used as a private cemetary back in days of yore.
Did you know the Sinclairs have a tunnel that runs the length of Thurso Castle up to Harald's Tower? You do know.
There's also gates to another long tunnel at the foot of Castlegreen Road, on the wall of Ormlie Lodge. Can't remember where it stretches to, but one rumour has it, it reaches all the way to Thurso Beach. If you go down the steps at the Police Station side, you should see a grate nearby.
1 What was the name of Sir John's Square before it became Sir John's Square?
2 Who was called "the most idefatigable man" by Abbe Gregoire?
3. Which famous Scot called Wick "one of the meanest of man's towns...on the baldest of bays"?
The Pepsi Challenge
10-Apr-06, 16:26
The building which is Williamson's Chemist was once a chapel.
LB
This is true.
The Pepsi Challenge
10-Apr-06, 16:27
1 What was the name of Sir John's Square before it became Sir John's Square?
2 Who was called "the most idefatigable man" by Abbe Gregoire?
3. Which famous Scot called Wick "one of the meanest of man's towns...on the baldest of bays"?
1. The Green, or something along those lines.
2. Robert Dick?
3. Robert Louis Stevenson; he meant every word.
And did you know that Robert Louis Stevenson's grandfather, Robert Stevenson, built Dunnet Head Lighthouse in 1831?
Hmmm.....I wonder what he thought of Wick?
1. The Green, or something along those lines.
2. Robert Dick?
3. Robert Louis Stevenson; he meant every word.
One out of three is not good Pepsi, you will have to try harder
You might want to check Brownhill Road, too. Every person in every house there will tell you something eerie about their back gardens.
I also thought that Viewfirth green was a place used for hanging folk, no?
Bill Arif's former house used to belong to the clergy. It was also once Castlegreen Castle. I've been in the loft and there's still lots of evidence trailing back to when it was first built. A magnificent structure. Apparently the big mound of earth outback was used as a private cemetary back in days of yore.
Did you know the Sinclairs have a tunnel that runs the length of Thurso Castle up to Harald's Tower? You do now.
There's also gates to another long tunnel at the foot of Castlegreen Road, on the wall of Ormlie Lodge. Can't remember where it stretches to, but one rumour has it, it reaches all the way to Thurso Beach. If you go down the steps at the Police Station side, you should see a grate nearby.
Oooh, that's all very intruiging stuff, Pepsi! :o)
I used to live in the Brownhill Road flats when I was a wee girl. I was scared to sleep in the dark, as many young bairns are. But after having read your post, pehaps I had good reason to sleep with the lights on, back then! :eek:
1 What was the name of Sir John's Square before it became Sir John's Square?
It was Macdonald Square, and prior to that it was known as the Bleaching Green. The name was changed to Sir John's Square in 1893. When it was known as Macdonald Square, it was just an open space with no embellishment. Sir Tollemache gifted it in 1879, with the condition that the Town Council lay it out as a terraced garden, surrounded by a wall surmounted by an ornamental railing.
The gallows hill of Thurso was in the rough ground to the west of Naver House. This is a typical site in a prominent position near the junction of the old roads to the south and west and within sight of the old road to Halkirk. There is a small grass covered mound which probably marks the spot; although there is also a tradition that hanging took place in the field opposite Scrabster Service Station. Who the Thurso executioner was and how often he was asked to perform his gruesome task is now lost. The only execution on record took place on the 25th May 1711 at the Mercat cross of Thurso. Where Robert Munro, who had been convicted at the Circuit Court in Inverness of complicity in the murder of Baillie Laurence Calder, met his end.
Here's some more information on the Thurso gallows, this time gleaned from my "Old Thurso - Caithness Notebook No.4", authored by Donald Grant in the mid 1960s:
During the period of the Norse occupation, the gallows were usually erected within easy reach of the meeting place of the "ting" or "thing", the local law-court, so that justice could be done without delay and seen to be done. In this area the court met on Scrabster Hill where the remains of a broch retain the name Thing's Wa or "law-court field". Less than a mile away, on the slope to the south-west of Pennyland Farm, the gallows stood on the Gallahill. The story goes that many of the Halkirk men implicated in the murder and burning of Bishop Adam in 1222 were hanged here by King Alexander II.
Thank you all for posting interesting history.
highlander
11-Apr-06, 20:23
Crossing Thurso river, normally the coble crossed at the south end of the harbour at a place called the Gutters, but in spates and high tides it crossed above the Gutters.The crossing was dangerous and especially in stormy weather. On market days they were inclined to overload the coble and records suggest that they were far from sober. One tragic occasion in the spring of 1749 the coble capsized and seventeen people were drowned.
taken from OLD THURSO by Donald Grant
Crossing Thurso river, normally the coble crossed at the south end of the harbour at a place called the Gutters, but in spates and high tides it crossed above the Gutters.The crossing was dangerous and especially in stormy weather. On market days they were inclined to overload the coble and records suggest that they were far from sober. One tragic occasion in the spring of 1749 the coble capsized and seventeen people were drowned.
taken from OLD THURSO by Donald Grant
All this talk about Donald Grant.. He was the Rector of Thurso High School in the late fifties and sixties. He wrote Caithness Dialect poetry and was a recognised expert in this art form and the history of Caithness. He wielded the belt better than anyone that's ever belted me. A true giant of man.
All this talk about Donald Grant.. He was the Rector of Thurso High School in the late fifties and sixties. He wrote Caithness Dialect poetry and was a recognised expert in this art form and the history of Caithness. He wielded the belt better than anyone that's ever belted me. A true giant of man.
Yes, I thought it was same Donald Grant who wrote the book "Old Thurso". I didn't realise he wrote poetry in Caithness dialect, though. I'd love to read those poems; maybe I can find some via Google, I hope!
It was Macdonald Square, and prior to that it was known as the Bleaching Green. The name was changed to Sir John's Square in 1893. When it was known as Macdonald Square, it was just an open space with no embellishment. Sir Tollemache gifted it in 1879, with the condition that the Town Council lay it out as a terraced garden, surrounded by a wall surmounted by an ornamental railing.
Who's a clever girl then Sporran
The Pepsi Challenge
12-Apr-06, 10:19
I wonder if anyone has any information on the Polish chap (I forget his hard-to-spell/ pronounce name) who painted the mural on Tollemache House? I'm sure it was Tollemache's sister that designed the piece, but not much is said of the painter. Granted the piece - plus its neighbour round the corner - looks like abstract test-design logos for British Airways in the 60s, but I reckon the colours (black, white, red) are what the arty types may call Deconstructionism. Surely a subtle irony given the offices on the other side of it.
highlander
12-Apr-06, 18:18
The Beach= On 19th July 1899, a large school of whales wandered into Thurso bay and half dozen boats put out to round them up. After a six-hour struggle 104 whales were driven ashore and left to die by the receding tide. Provest Mitchell of Montrose, who had a personal interest in whales, heard of them and relieved the Town council of the problem of burying and removing the carcases before the stench became too overpowering.
A regulation of 1751 warns us "that every person who takes stones out of the beach, except for streeting, shall pay Two pounds scots for each transgression".
In 1876 the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Thurso to open an Exhibition of Art and Industry. The procession route from the railway station was closed to carts from 10 am to 5 pm, and to carriages from 1 pm to 5 pm. The Prince in his address spoke of "the energy which it is well known exists in so high a degreee among the population of this district" and the highly gratified authorities gave Princes Street its present name to mark the occasion. Before that the part from Olrig Street to St Peter's Church was known as Forss Street, from the Church to Davidson's Lane was Sutherland Street and from there to the railway station was Ulbster Terrace.
Later, in 1893, the name of Caithness Street was changed. The Town Council sought to rename it Sir Tollemache Street but Sir Tollemache said he would prefer to have it named after his father, and so we now have Sir George's Street. Eventually, Sir Tollemache's own name appeared many years later, when it was given to the Atomic Energy Authority's building in the High Street, next to the Arcade.
Donald Grant wrote under "Castlegreen" . I once had to learn the dialect poem E' Scorraig which I think was one of his.
His speciality was delivering the happy news in report cards to pupils. If he didn't grip you by the hair it was by the ear and with each bad result it twisted by another point of the compass. E' lassagies hed nane o' at coorse treatment. Wi'd sometimes pit a dose of e' brylcream on wir heids afore e cerds came oot but 'at jest pit e mannie til yer lugs!
I can also testify that he could handle the belt but had a lot of respect for him. He was a keen fisher and once got a 5 pounder of Calder and I think he knew that I'd rather be on the river than in the school.
This was found in an old Caithness Courier c.1952
THURSO - STROMA SALT COD
Ths is New Year's Day and thousands will no doubt celebrate by sitting down to a dinner of turkey, goose or other bird of feather. But for my Hogmanay dinner, it will be a plate of Golden Wonders and a piece of glittering sald cod sent to me by a friend, a Thurso 'exile' now resident in Edinburgh. In an accompanying note with the coddie, she wrote: ''This is no' a Stroma coddie - it's a Thirsa coddie born an' bred in Thirsa Bay. Never even saw W.K.''
I am certain the coddie must have at some time or other glided to the water surrounding Stroma, and therefore, I seem to have been more fortunate that Herbert Sinclair '' on the fish line'' While the coddie is boiling at this moment, I recall Thurso Bay in all it's glory. I also recall my first visit to Thurso from Wick on a holiday with my old pal, Dan Willie Tait, when it cost 10 1/2d return. Dan Willie would, I feel sure, be busy today if he were here, supplying me with thirst-quenchers offer my tatties and Thurso sald coddie.
As a grace, I may quote Burns, adapted as follows :
''Fair fa' yer honest, sonsie face
Great coddie o' the Thirsa race!''
AB
GRANNIE KIE
Div ye mind ae tea in a bowlie
Yir grannie gave till ye
Aft times ye geed till see her
Till keep her company.
She hedna much till gie ye
Ae fire wis affen low
Boot id cheered her hert till see ye
An' meyd ye sweer till go
She wis kinda quate an' silent
Boot aye she'd gie a nod
As if till say ''Ye'll make it child''
Chist leave it all to God
An' ids only now A'm thinking
If she seen ae times ahead
An' kent ae rod, tho maybe hard
There wis only wan we'd tread.
Isabel Salmon
darkie@dreamtilt.com.au
20-Apr-06, 08:02
Are there any old people out there who remembers the prisoner of war camp that used to be between the Glebe and Burnside http://forum.caithness.org/images/icons/icon14.gif Robin
Are there any old people out there who remembers the prisoner of war camp that used to be between the Glebe and Burnside http://forum.caithness.org/images/icons/icon14.gif Robin
Robin, it was not a prisoner of war camp, but a Transit Camp for troops heading to and coming from Orkney, but there was a Prisoner of War camp at Watten, one of my uncles was a guard there at around 1946
darkie@dreamtilt.com.au
20-Apr-06, 09:28
Robin, it was not a prisoner of war camp, but a Transit Camp for troops heading to and coming from Orkney, but there was a Prisoner of War camp at Watten, one of my uncles was a guard there at around 1946Thanks for the info Golach,always thought of it as the prison camp,remember as a kid the germans working up in back of the Glebe,I caught my hand in a drain in Bayview Tre and later a german gave me a sail boat for the pain no kidding Robin http://forum.caithness.org/images/icons/icon6.gif
Lavenderblue2
20-Apr-06, 11:17
Prisoner of War camp at Watten, one of my uncles was a guard there at around 1946
Well Golach - my dad also was a guard there in 1946 - in fact he married my mum in Watten Church in 1946. Last year somebody very kindly gave me a plan of the camp - it is too big for me to copy but I would willingly lend it to you if you don't already have a copy.
LB
I certainly remember the P O W Camp at Watten, and several times we went out there for the great concerts they put on.
I also remember the Germen men coming to our doors in Wick selling leather bags, rope slippers and other things - all the children had rope slippers !
Later, at the end of the war some of them were kept back to dismantle the
'boxes' ---oops forgotten the name, around the cliffs. I remember them goose-stepping along the street.
After the war one of the men returned to Caithness with his choir - to thank the people of Caithness for their kindness.
I have a photo of the German men from a Groat cutting.
Thanks for the info Golach,always thought of it as the prison camp,remember as a kid the germans working up in back of the Glebe,I caught my hand in a drain in Bayview Tre and later a german gave me a sail boat for the pain no kidding Robin http://forum.caithness.org/images/icons/icon6.gif
My family moved to Perthshire in 1946, to a little place called Pitroddie, where 100yds from our farm cottage ( with no electricity or running water or inside toilets), there was German Prisoner of War camp with about 100 inmates. I was aged 6 then going on 7 and was the only child for a mile radius from the camp. As a result I was adopted by the "Prisoners" and I saw showers, flushing toilets, and Movies for the first time all be it they were in German. I at 7 could count up t0 20 in German, and say please and thank you. I spent ,many happy hours in that camp. I also had many many toys made by the Prisoners.....oh if I had known their worth at 8 years old.
I spent so much time in the Camp that the Prisoners who all wore Patches on their Jackets and trousers, sewed a patch on my jacket, My Mum says I broke my heart when she took it off. I remember my folks playing cards by "Tillie" lamps with the Germans, with virually no English / German between them.
The Meadow Well at the top of Manson's Lane was for centuries Thurso's main water supply. There were other wells, of course, among them one in what is now the garden of the Station Hotel, one in the Mall, one at the Glebe, the Gilbank Well where the steps now descend at the west end of the Esplanade, and one on the north side of Grove Lane, but the Meadow Well was the most productive and best known. It had to meet heavy demands and in dry seasons its resources were severely taxed. In 1818 a new casing was put round it and a larger cistern was provided. In the dry season of 1842 the water level was so low and there was so much waste when receptacles were being filled that the burgh constable was instructed to lock the well door, pocket the key and allow access only when absolutely necessary. The summer of 1852 was again a very dry one and the level of the water fell to five and a half inches. It was necessary to issue stern public warnings against excessive use and waste of water.
Before Thurso Town Hall was built in 1871, the square in which it stands served as a market place. Farm produce was sold at the Cocky Stane, a flat stone set in the street on the east side of the square and probably the place referred to in old records as the Poultry Stand. At a similar stone on the west side, the Auld Fish Stane, the produce of the sea was sold. The Fish Stane now lies on the opposite side of the square. Here also stood the pillory or cuckstool, erected in 1698 by the Kirk Session "in the most public place in the town for the disgracing and affronting of swearers and takers of the name of the Lord in vain." It stood there until well into the second half of the 18th century and did not confine its attentions to swearers and blasphemers. The old Mercat Cross stood in the same area and beside it, on occasion, criminals were hanged on a temporary gibbet.
At Sporran's encouragement, I am writing to add the wee bit of trivia I have concerning Thurso History. The Thurso Golf Club was established in 1893. At the quiz on Sunday, acameron asked the question and I, totally out of thin air, picked the year 1893. I think that gleeber is still shaking his head. But it did qualify me to post on the org's history channel. So, the next time you are out there on that wind swept parkland, think of me and remember that the club has been around for 113 years.
At Sporran's encouragement, I am writing to add the wee bit of trivia I have concerning Thurso History. The Thurso Golf Club was established in 1893. At the quiz on Sunday, acameron asked the question and I, totally out of thin air, picked the year 1893. I think that gleeber is still shaking his head. But it did qualify me to post on the org's history channel. So, the next time you are out there on those wind swept links, think of me and remember that the club has been around for 113 years.
I believe acameron was the founding member, so I was told by some chiels from 'e Glebe [lol]
Funky_Foal
11-May-06, 20:57
people are interested in this so stop spoiling it
Funky_Foal
11-May-06, 20:57
only choking scout
The original Picture House Cinema in Thurso was located in the Temperance Hall in Meadow Lane. In 1922, a new one was built to replace it in Sir George's Street. It opened in November of that year and showed silent movies. Some renovations were made after a fire gutted the balcony in October 1935, and both the balcony and foyer had to be reconstructed. Twenty years later, in 1955, there was further refurbishment, and an extension added to the rear of the cinema. This increased the seating capacity from 350 to 553. At this time, the new Stereophonic sound and CinemaScope picture was added.
The Thurso Picture House remained an independent cinema until it was taken over by Caledonian Associated Cinemas in 1947. Sadly, it closed it's doors as a movie theatre in 1983. Today, the popular Skinandi's night club is located within the building.
Interestingly, it was the greatgrandfather of the present owner of Skinandis who first brought the "silver screen" to Thurso, probably in 1910ish
It was indeed in the Temperance Hall which is now the leisure centre in Grove lane.
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