i would like any info on tinkers and/or travellers of caithness if they still exist.i am from tinker stock that travelled caithness,sutherland and ross counties in scotland during the 18 and 19 centurys before going to canada and the states.any info on tinkers by the surnames of williamson,macphee or stewart would be helpful.
when I went to school in Thurso in the 60s there were many people of all these names and also Newlands. Some of those were contemporaries and friends, but I have lost touch with them, as I live in the south now. There are still, I am sure, many living in Caithness.Good luck in your search. The travellers of Scotland have a proud history.
james williamson wrote:
i would like any info on tinkers and/or travellers of caithness if they still exist.i am from tinker stock that travelled caithness,sutherland and ross counties in scotland during the 18 and 19 centurys before going to canada and the states.any info on tinkers by the surnames of williamson,macphee or stewart would be helpful.
James, there is a book you might find interesting. It is called The Sumer Walkers. It is written by Timothy Neat, and is published by Canongate Books, 14 High Street, Edinburgh.
If you want a copy and have difficulty getting it, contact me, as I work in Edinburgh.
Best wishes in your searches
Helen Gibson
About 30yrs ago I read a book written by a Tinker woman. It was called "The Yellow on the Broom" If you can get the book I'm sure you'll find it very interesting. FM>
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Tinkers and Travellers
The following books cover the Tinker`s travels and life styles during the 20th Century
1. Red Rowans and Wild Honey by Betsy White ISBN 0-552-13739-1
2. The Yellow on the Broom by Betsy White ISBN 1 84158 135 6
3. Queen amang the Heather by Sheila Stewart ISBN 1 84158 5289
4. Tales from the Tent by Jess Smith ISBN 184183-053-4
5. Jessie`s Journey by Jess Smith ISBN 1-84183-033-X
6. Tears for a Tinker by Jess Smith ISBN 1-84183-078X
Happy reading
1K.Orger
Thanks for resurrecting this thread from a few years ago Donald.
Had forgotten about some of those books and have always been meaning to read them. Will have to go the second hand book shop in Thurso to see if there are any there or maybe some of the charity shops. I'm a firm believer in recycling! Cheers.
.Orger
Have just finished reading the first of the jess smith books, jessie's journey and thoroughly looking forward to reading the other 2 in her saga. Very, very good read and gives such a good example of what seemed like an idilic and very different childhood, traveling the country in an old bedford van!!
.Orger
Hi,
My mothers family are Williamsons from Caithness, and were from tinker stock.Although i live in England i have cousins that live in Caithness.
Other family names are Mcphee and Stewart.
I have done a bit of research on the the names Williamson and Mcphee, perhaps we are related.
Best wishes Cathy
.Orger
Originally Posted by Donald Harper
These books were happy reading indeed and another is 'The Summer Walkers' by Timothy Neat Published by Birlin Books (IBSN 1 84158 199 2) with mentions of Caithness.
LB
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