Kirkwall Map Discovery

Our team of volunteers have been hard at work sifting through the bundles of documents in the Balfour of Balfour & Trenaby papers. They have been finding lots of interesting documents and we are gradually listing them all on our new online catalogue, so that everyone can see the list too. 

Last week Anne was looking at bundle 9 in the 26th box. It is a bundle of bundles. Rather than individual unrelated documents, bundle 9 contains several groups of related documents. One group is grandly called the 'Langstane Process" and is a court case about a disputed piece of ground in Kirkwall in 1798. What is very interesting is that it comes with a plan.

A plan from 1798! 1798! Why am I exclaiming? 

Because we don't have many detailed plans of Kirkwall for the 1700s. This is a very early map of Kirkwall and we're all very excited!! 

D2/26/9 - Plan of disputed lands in Kirkwall, 1798.
Click on image to enlarge it on your screen. 
Not to be reproduced without permission from Orkney Archive

There are a few recognisable features in this plan such as The Strynd and the High Street (now Albert Street). See if you can work out where in Kirkwall it was, where the burn was and where the bridges were. Once we know more about the court case, we'll share the story. In the meantime, just admire the map. 

Other maps of Kirkwall in this time period are this one from 33 years earlier: 

D8/E/19 Kirkwall 1766, surveyed by William Aberdeen
Click on image to enlarge it on your screen
Not to be reproduced without permission from Orkney Archive

And this one from 33 years later: 

D8/E/28 Kirkwall boundaries, 1831
Click on image to enlarge it on your screen
Not to be reproduced without permission from Orkney Archive

19th Century Kirkwall

 We often put up a post when we come across an item which has not seen the light of day for a long time and we think deserves  a bit of attention. Whilst leafing through the sketchbook of Kirkwall born architect, T. S. Peace (1845 - 1934), we found these wonderful sketches of the Watergate and Kirkwall Castle, both of which were demolished in the 19th century. Peace designed many prominent buildings across Orkney, including the old Burgh school, (now housing OIC offices), the Sheriff Court, Town Hall, the old Balfour hospital building and many more. 

Watergate, 1878, 'just before removal'

'Ruins of the castle of the St Clairs, Kirkwall.'

Orkney Archive Reference: D8/1/23

Did Captain Scarlet come from Orkney?

The Orkney Archive Palaeography Group have recently transcribed this beautiful document which is a disposition written for Magnus Baikie transferring ownership of a property in Kirkwall to his son Thomas in the event of his death, which if you read to the end, is sadly quite imminent. 

Reading through it you might think it is just a boring old legal document with lots of jargon and repetition. 

BUT 

these types of documents can sometime be very interesting and throw up some interesting names, occupations and relationships that help us to know who was who in Orkney around the time it was written. 

D14/5/1 Disposition 1660

In this document we have names such as Magnus Baikie and his son, Thomas. From other research we know that Magnus had an older brother, James, who was 78 in 1668, so we think Magnus would have been mid-seventies in 1660. He is described as skipper and burgess. Skipper means he was captain of a ship, burgess means he was able to trade in the burgh of Kirkwall. Magnus' brother John is also mentioned towards the end of the document as a witness. 

Other names shown are Patrick Watterstoun, minister in Orphir, his deceased father Michael and Patrick's wife Barbara Henrysone. Thomas Moncrieff and William Hayr, minister. William Mudy of Breckness, Sir John Buchanan of Scotscraig [in Fife], his brother Thomas Buchanan of Sound [in Shapinsay] and Thomas's son George Buchanan of Sound. David Moncrieff another skipper and his brother Harry. David Anderson was the notary public who wrote the document on behalf of Magnus Baikie. 

The most fun name for us in this document is John Skarlett, skipper in Kirkwall and tenant of Magnus Baikie. As before we know that skipper can also mean captain, which in our modern minds turns him into Captain Scarlet. Who knew?  Captain Scarlet came from Orkney.

Looking into it more logically, Scarlett IS a surname that is associated with northern Scotland. But it did make us chuckle. 

SCARLETT

"Lambertus Sclarlet de Anandia [Annan] gifted six pennies annually from the toft of Roger Pacok in the same town in the thirteenth century (Register, Priory of St Bees, p354).

Nicoll (or Richard) Scarlett had a charter from Robert I of the lands of Forgund, Inchmertein, and Velathis (or Velachis) forfeited by John Balliol (RMS., I, App.II, 478).

From the fourteenth century to the sixteenth century a family named Scarlat or Scarlet held lands in Caithness. Thomas Scarlet held the lands of Westyrclithe and Nethirgreneland there in 1377 (RMS., I, 666).

Patrick Skarlet was tacksman of Negarth in Evy, Orkney 1492 (REO., p411).

John Scarlet was servitor of Alexander Keith, captain of the Castle of Akirgill, Caithness, 1547 (OPS., II, p779).

Caution was found for James Skarlott in Blackruthven in 1589 (RPC., iv, p350)

Marion Scarlet in Watten is in record in Caithness, 1664 (Caithness) "

Surnames of Scotland by George F Black, The New York Public Library, 1946

P711-712

TRANSCRIPTION

D14/5/1

[Title: ]

Disposition be Magnus Baikie in favoure of Thomas Baikie his sone of ane tenement of land or ludging contaning the dwelling house, and of ane ruynous tenement next adjacent yrto[thereto] lyand in the Midtoun of Kirkwall 1660

In another land: 1660    Tenement at Bridge Kirkwall

[Document: ]

Be it kend till all men be thir[these] present lres[letters] Me Magnus Baikie skipper burges of Kirkwall heritable proprietar of ye[the] tenements of land and others rexive[respective] underwrittin being for the present infirme in body bot praised be to god prefyke[perfect] in mynd and memorie, and knowing nothing more certane then death and nothing more uncertane then ye[the] hour and place therof and being most willing to satle my wordly estate in my owne tyme in the persone of Thomas Baikie my only lawfull sone and to secure him yrintill[thereuntil] in my lyftyme by making and granting of thir[these] p[rese]nts, Therefore witt ꝣe me to have sauld annalied and disponned lykas I be ye[the] tennor herof sell annalie and simplr[contraction of simplicitor?] dispone from me and my aires to and in favours of ye[the] said thomas Baikie my sone his aires and assigneyis qtsoevir[whatsoever] heretably, and irredimably unto my maner of reversion redemption band promise or condition of reversion redemption or regres qtsoevir

All and haill that my tenement of land or ludgeing with houses bigings closses yairdes taill and pertinents therof sometime pertaning heretably to the deceassed Mr Patrick Watterstoun minister at Orphar after the deceasse of umqle Michael Waterstoun his father lyand in ye[the] Midtoun of Kirkwall in Orknay abone St Olais bridge their sometyme possest be umqle Thomas Moncreiff and william hayr Minister and whilk was sold and dispouned by ye[the] said umqle Mr Patrik Waterstoun w[i]t[h] consent of umqle Barbara henrysone his spouse to me my aires and assigneyis heretably and irredimably in manor speit[specified] in ye[the] lres[letters] of disposition chartor and instrument of saising following thereupon contaning tuo duelling houses on the foir gate under ane ruiff with the office houses yrof on the back part of ye[the] samen betwixt and the yaird of ye[the] said tenement and whilk is p[rese]ntly possest be me and john skarlett skipper in kirkwall my tenent respectively Bonded and having the tenement and land sometyme pertaning to umqle william mudy of breknes thereafter to umqle sir john Buchanan of scottscraig knyt[knight], thereafter to umqle thomas Buchanan of sound his brother, and now To Mr George Buchanan of sound sone to ye[the] said umqle thomas On ye[the] south, the lands of papdaill. On the east the heigh streat of Kirkwall stryt[1] and to St Olaisbridge on the west,  the said umqle Mr Patrik his other tenement possest be umqle Magnus guid couper and John Auchinleck wright in Kirkwall, And the tenement of umqle William Sklatter lyand waist and the closse entring yrto[thereto] on ye[the] north parts

And siclyk[such like] all and haill that tenement of land and houses now ruynous with ye[the] yairds and pertiments yrof sometime pertaning to Nicoll Sklaitter as air to umqle Patrick Sklaitter indueller in Kirkwall His father and was sold and disponed be ye[the] said Nicoll to me Conforme to his rights and securities granted to me of ye[the] same lyand in ye[the] Midtoun of Kirkwall Bonded and having ye[the] lands and tenement abovewritten sometyme pertaning to ye[the] said umqle Mr Patrik Watersone and now to me On ye[the] east, south and west parkes[2] and the common passage of ye[the] said burgh of Kirkwall entering to ye[the] said tenement on the north parts yrof[thereof] Within the Maineland and sherifdome of orknay

And For the said Thomas Baikie my sone and his forsaids greater and bettir security I bind and oblige me and my aires to duly and sufficiently infeft[3] and saise be charter of alienation titulo oneroso[4] w[i]t[h] precept and instrument of saising to follow thereupon the said Thomas Baike my sone his aires and assignyes forsaids heretably and irredimably as said is In all and haill ye[the] said tenement and ludgeing houses bigings back and fore under and abone w[i]t[h] ye[the] cloissis yairds parts pendicles and pertinents yrof[thereof] abovewritten

As als in all and haill the said tenement of land and houses now ruynous w[it]h ye[the] yaird and pertinents of ye[the] samen Both lyand and bounded in maner abovespe[cif]it And that be tuo several infeftments Ane yrof[thereof]  to be holdin of me and my aires in frie blensche ferme[5] and heretage for evir for payment of ane penny scots upon ye[the] ground of ye[the] saids tenements rexive[6] abovewritten at ye[the] feast of witsonday yearly in name of blensche ferme if it beis asked allanerly[7] And the other of the saids infeftments to be holdin of my laufull superior yrof[thereof] as freely as I or my precessor held or holds ye[the] samen ourselves either be resignation or confirmation as best sall[shall] please the said Thomas or his forsaids, Lykas I bind and oblige me my aires assigneyis and successors q[uha]tsoevir To warrand all and haill the said tenement or ludging As als ye[the] said ruynous tenement respectively abovewritten with houses bigings yairds parts pendicles and pertinents yrof[thereof] forsaids lyand possessed and bounded as is abovementioned To be free and saife to ye[the] said Thomas baikie my sone his aires and assigneyis abovespe[cif]it heretably and irredimably as said is from all perrells dangers and inconvenients q[uha]tsoevir bygaine present & to come from my owne propper fact and deed allanerly as accords of ye[the] law, That is to say that I have not made neither yet sall[shall] mak any uther disposition or right to ye[the] premissis to ony other persone or persones q[uha]tsoevir in hurt and prejudice herof in ony sort, And bind and oblige me and my forsaids To reiterat and renew thir[these] p[rese]nts to the said Thomas Baikie my sone & his forsaids toties quoties[8] as I sall[shall] be requyred yrto[thereto] keeping ye[the] effect and substance abovewrittin ay and whylk they find themselves sufficiently secured anent ye[the] premisses And for ye[the] more securitie I am content and consent that yir[these] presentis be insert and regrat[9] in ye[the] buikes of ye[the] court of justice sheriffe or commissers buikes of orknay To have ye[the] strenth of ane decreet of ony of ye[the] judges yrof[thereof] That lres[letters] and executorialls of horning upon ane simple chirge of six dayes only and others necessar be direct herupon And to that effect constituts My pro[curato]rs promising to ratifie & in witnes qrof[whereof] (writtin be David Andersone notar publick) and because I am unable of body by reason of my weaknes and siknes to subscrive myself the said David as notar hes sub[scrivi]t yir[these]  p[rese]ntis at my command At Kirkwall ye[the] eight day of march jmvic[10][1600] and thriescor yeeres befor yir[these] witnessis James Baikie of Tankernes David Moncreif skipper in Kirkwall Hary Moncrief his brother Patrick Traill skipper yr[there] and John Baikie merchand in Kirkwall brother to me ye[the] said Magnus Baikie abovedesigned wt[with] my hand tutching ye[the] pen of ye[the] notar undersubscriving at my command becaus I am unable for ye[the] tyme to wrat[write] in regard of my extream sicknes and weaknes of body the lord of his mercy now calling upon me out of this world to himself and yrfor[therefore] have given command to ye[the] said notar to subscrive ye[the] premissis for me So it is David Anderson notar publict at command of ye[the] said Magnus Baikie who is unable to writ himself inregard of his extream siknes and weaknes of body Have yrfor[therefore] sub[scrivi]t thir[these] p[rese]ntis for him witnessing my signe and sub’er[unknown contraction] mannall[12]

Moncrieff witnes

Pa[trick] Traill witnes

Hearie Moncrieff witness

---

[1] a narrow passageway https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/strait_adj definition 3

[2] could also be ‘partie’ or ‘partis’

[3] Infeft - To invest (a person) with heritable property. https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/infeft

[4] titulo oneroso – Latin meaning: burdensome title https://translate.google.com/?sl=la&tl=en&text=titulo%20oneroso%20&op=translate

[5] blensche ferme - A small or nominal quit-rent or duty paid in money or otherwise https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/blancheferme

[6] rexive – abbreviated form of respective https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/rexive

[7] allanerly – literally means alonely. In DSL singly https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/allanerly

[8] As often as necessary https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/toties_quoties

[9] regrat – abbreviated form of ‘registration’ or ‘registered’  https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/regratt

[10] can also be read as ‘jajvic’ the ‘aj’ was written instead of the roman letter ‘m’ meaning 1000.

[12] by hand, see https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/manuale_adj

Archive in a Pandemic A-Z: K is for...

KIRKWALL

Kirkwall is where we are, the great metropolis of Orkney. Home of a cathedral, two palaces, a ghost of a castle and our stupendous workplace the Orkney Library & Archive. 

Kirkwall Postcard by W H Hourston, our ref: WHH8612

Kirkwall has been hard hit by the Pandemic with many shops struggling to cope with the lack of custom. A popular music venue and colourful café has recently announced defeat and will not re-open again. 

During Lockdown it was very quiet in the centre of town. 

A Saturday afternoon in Albert Street during Lockdown, April 11th 2020

Normally Albert Street would be full of locals and visitors. But this year there was no usual crop of Summer People: tourists, cruise-shippers, students or archaeologists. 

A Saturday afternoon in December 2020

The compulsory wearing of face-masks in shops has given more locals the confidence to meet and chat in the street again, but even now the shops are still quiet when they should be busy with Christmas shoppers. Many people might still be nervous about visiting the town centre and choose to stay at home and shop online. 

Tenuous Link Alert!

Back in the past when the residents of Kirkwall and Orkney had to rely on trades and shops to be close by, Kirkwall was teeming with businesses. This is the Kirkwall Burgh list from the 1920 Peace's Almanac: 

Peace's Almanac 1920 (Orkney Room Ref: 914.1 YZ Periodicals)

Peace's Almanac 1920 (Orkney Room Ref: 914.1 YZ Periodicals)

Photo credits: A Saturday in April by John Ross Scott; A Saturday in December by Lucy Gibbon

A Stack in Time

Our Palaeography Group is now heading towards its 20th week. We have enjoyed finding out about life in the 17th century from all the documents we have read and transcribed. One in particular stands out in our minds as being a bit unusual. An unlucky Kirkwall resident got more than he bargained for when he tried to bend the rules involving peat stacks. Peat is used as a fuel in Orkney instead of wood.



A cart carrying peat, 1904 photographed by Tom Kent (Ref: TK1153)

It was written in 1686 and is a Supplication by Magnus Moir, a prisoner in the Tolbooth, to the Magistrates of Kirkwall asking for liberty from his confinement for stealing peats.

But from Mr Moir's explanation below you find that he didn't exactly steal peat:
"Unto the much honoured Lord provost ballies and counsell of the brugh (burgh) house of Kirkwall

The humble supplication of your poor distressed prisoner Magnus Moir indweller thair

Sheweth


Broad Street, Kirkwall showing a later tolbooth on the left.

That whair it hath been your ho[nour]s pleasure to incarserat me within your tolbuith (prison) of Kirkwall for my contemning (despising) your authorities in building up of peats upon my stack standing upon the... pier grounds of that pairt of the toune of Kirkwall called the brugh (burgh)  



Extract of original document D10/12/1 transcribed in the paragraph below

Where to your ho[nour]s has now the onlie good and indutable right and in which peat stack I having simplie taken out some peats out of the middle thereof and made up an emptie pleace therein for sheltering therein ane kow (cow) for a nights tyme or tuo (two) to stand until such tyme as she was killed for my necces[a]r[y] mentenance

Yet nevertheless it has pleased your ho[nour]s to look upon this as ane act of great crueltie and highist contempt against your priviledges

A stack of peat, c1900 photographed by Tom Kent (ref: TK2328)

Though before I presume to attempt any such thing either in building peats or utherwayes I demanded libertie from my Lord Dean of Guild and tuo of the present magistrates who gave me libertie for that effect:

And sieng (seeing) it hath been your pleasure not only to impose upon me ane fyne for so doeing But also to punish my person by imprisonment now be the space of tuelve dayes bygone wherethrough I have sustained seickness in my old infirme persone and loss in my household affairs.


Extract of original document D10/12/1 transcribed in the paragraph below

May it therefore please your ho[nour]s to take the hail premiss to your serious consideration and look upon my sadde conditione as a poor Christian doeth deserve and to permit me the libertie of freedome from your tolbuith dureing which space yow shall think fit to the effect I may care for and look after the sadde conditione that my starving wyff and famillie at home 

Extract of original document D10/12/1 transcribed in the paragraph below

I being most willing for my liberation to find good and suffitient cautione actit in your ho[nour]s toune court book not onlie to re-enter to persone againe when ye shall appoynt But also to be lyable in payment and satisfactione of what soumes (sums) your ho[nour]s shall think fitt to impos upon me for my presumptowows (presumptuous) contemning (despising) your auth[orties] in maner foresaid And for all uther causes and esceaps I shall be found guiltie off in tyme by gone and your ho[nour]s answer is humblie beggit and craved with your best convenience by your supplicants poor petitioner who shall ever pray.

Magnus Moir

*****************************************************

Extract from the original document D10/12/2 transcribed in the paragraph below.

Kirkwall the seventeen day of Nov[embe]r 1686

The magistrates and counsell haveing taken [the] thereafter written supplicatione to their consideration they ordanes him to pay this day to the thesaurer (treasurer) of the brugh (burgh) tuentie pounds Scotts money."

It must have been a very large stack of peats to hollow out for a cow for a couple of nights. But then a stack built on the pier could have been made up of tax paid in kind by the tenants of Orkney to the magistrates of Kirkwall and used to fuel the fires of the residents of Kirkwall.

In the Kirkwall Town Council minutes of 19th January 1687 is the following statement:

"1T.viH Four scoir six yeirs (1686 years), qch (which) recept is daittit (dated) the twentie day of No[vembe]r last past, at the qlk tyme that sowme with the twentie pounds mo[n[ey fors[ai]d produceit be Thomas Brown qch he receaved from Mags Moir for his fine"

So Magnus Moir paid his fine 3 days later, and presumably gained his release from the Tolbooth (prison).

It is great to be able to decipher this old faded document and share it with a new audience. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Sources used:
D10/12/2 - 1686: Supplication by Magnus Moir (Collected by James Tait, cabinetmaker); Original (K1/1/3) and book (2285924) - Kirkwall Town Council minutes transcribed by Morris Pottinger. Picture of Broad Street, c 1780 from book Kirkwall in the Orkneys by B H Hossack, 1900. Photos by Tom Kent: TK1153 and TK2328

Land of the Midnight Dim...

We have a long, dark Winter in Orkney but are rewarded in abundance come Summer time. Our Northerly skies are bright from 4am until 10.30pm and the hours in between are never fully dark.


This long twilight is known as the simmer dim. The sun merely dims and never truly disappears.


The photograph of Kirkwall Harbour below was taken by Tom Kent on the 25th of June at Midnight:

The ability to garden until 10 and go for long evening walks well past tea-time makes up for the fact that, six months from now.. but no. Let us just enjoy the lovely, long nights whilst they last.




UPDATE: Apparently simmer dim is the term used in Shetland. A suggestion of grimleens has been offered, deriving from the Norwegian grimla, - to gleam, shimmer.

Flotilla Photos for Sale

We have a new selection of pre-produced photographic prints for sale in the Orkney Archive, which cover many different subjects. Some of them are much larger than the usual 8x6 inches in size, so our price of £4 is a real bargain.

[Please note we do not have multiple copies of these items for sale. If you wish to buy a copy of any of these images and the pre-produced ones have been sold, you can still order copies from us at the normal prices. Please see our normal Production Price List below and email archives@orkney.gov.uk to order.]

For all the boat-lovers out there, here are a few with a definite marine theme.

We love this image below of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla illuminated in Kirkwall Bay. This photograph was taken by Tom Kent on the 25th May 1911.

TK 158 Kirkwall Bay

Four years later in 1915 Margaret Tait describes a similar sight:

"The moonlight is very welcome these war times, as the authorities can't make one put out the moon as they can the lights in the windows. I went down to see the ships in the Bay and I was told there were more ships coming and going to K'wall at present than comes and goes to the ports of London. It was a lovely sight the ships stretched right across the bay as far as Finstown and were all lighted up making it look like a miniature town."

Archive Reference: D1/525 Diary of Margaret Tait, sister of cabinet maker James Tait, Broad Street, Kirkwall

TK 3315 Kirkwall Harbour, date unknown

TK 3307 Kirkwall Harbour, date unknown (after 1899)

RHR 4996

The above photo is mounted on hardboard, so costs slightly more at £7.

Our usual costs for photographic reprints are:

The Photographic Archive holds more than 60,000 images relating to Orkney and its people, with the earliest dating from the nineteenth century.

The images are a priceless record of changes that were occurring throughout the UK as well as in Orkney. They show changes in the working and social lives of the people, changes in farming methods, the effects of two World Wars and the huge influx of military personnel, industries that have largely disappeared and much more.

So pop round to the Orkney Archive during our normal opening hours and have a browse, you never know, your perfect photo could be printed and already waiting for you!

Storm Report

"One of the most violent tornadoes in Kirkwall ever remembered, which continued without intermission from sun-set (about three o'clock) the whole night."

"Many boats were also damaged, and some driven to sea"

"Several houses were partly unroofed, peat stacks and cot houses thrown down, and the weather-cock of St Magnus Cathedral blown into the steeple, although it weighed two stone of copper."

These are not quotes about yesterday's Storm Gertrude, but they are actually from an article in the Edinburgh Evening Courant dated 24th January 1803! One of three editions purchased by the Orkney Archive in 1994.

The article goes on to say:

"During this hurricane, a ship was wrecked in the island of Papa Stronsay, name unknown, Capt. Christian Faralson Leyre; crew saved, but the vessel and part of the cargo damaged.

From the 1st of January to the 11th it blew constantly strong gales of wind from the S.E. attended with rain, snow and sleet, during which the sun never made its appearance.

The ship Daedalus, from the east country for Dublin, J MALLET master, is totally wrecked in the village of Dearness; cargo greatly damaged - Four of the crew drowned, two of them mates, and brothers. One of these poor fellows got ashore, and as his brother was climbing up the rock after him, a huge wave pulled him back into the sea; the survivor swam in to his assistance, and both perished in each other's arms.

A large sloop, miserably wrecked, from its shattered appearance, without any cargo or person on board was driven on shore on the Wart Holm. Two sailors, supposed to have come in with this wreck, were found dead in this uninhabited island, owing to cold and hunger."

Wart Holm is a tiny island off the south west tip of Westray. This image is from Ordnance Survey sheet no. LXXIX, dated 1903.

 

 

More sad news:
"A brig, in the same unhappy situation, and not a single person on board, has come ashore on the island of Stronsay. 

A sloop, said to belong to Caithness, is drove ashore at Lopness, in the island of Sanday.

A foreign ship, totally unknown, has come ashore in numerous splinters on the north sands of Quayness, in the island of Sanday, without any living person on board, or any bodies to be seen. Her cargo is drifting to all quarters, but exertions are making to preserve as much as possible, by the Admiral, for the benefit of all concerned."

Archive Reference: D1/295/3

 

Orkney At War (Feb - Apr 1915)

 

Here are a few items from the third instalment of our Orkney At War exhibition. These items are taken from records during February, March and April 1915. We continue with the diaries of James Marwick and Margaret Tait, see an extract of a letter about blockships, letters and postcards home from the front, an appreciation of Orkney knitters and more.

3 February 1915, The Orkney Herald,

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:  Kirkwall Canadians For The War
Sir,  - As I have noticed in your paper that you wish the names of Orcadians enlisting for the front, I herewith enclose a paragraph taken from last week’s Winnipeg Tribune :- “Highlanders Picking Best – Approximately 100 recruits for active service have been secured by the 79^th Cameron Highlanders since it was announced that regiment would go to the front as a unit.  There are still vacancies for a few more men, but medical examination is most strict and only the pick of the applicants is being taken.  They will be known as the 43^rd battalion.” Up to the present time there are seven Kirkwall lads with this battalion.  They are now hard at work getting into shape, and expect to move into the new armouries here (which will accommodate 2000 men) by the end of this month.  As the battalion is going as a unit it may be away from here before the 3^rd contingent from Canada.  Although there are a number of Orkney lads in other battalions in the city I am unable to give you their correct regiments, but the seven above mentioned are as follows:- William Mowat, Alex. Smith, J.T. Finlay, Archie Scott, Donald Morgan, David Ritch and John M. Work. – Yours &c., Z.  Winnipeg.

6^th February 1915, The Orcadian, A Local Man On HMS Lion
Able-seaman Jack Crisp (whose wife resides in Wellington Street, Kirkwall), has been home on a short furlough. Crisp was in the famous North Sea battle, and gives an interesting description of his experience.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Lion_(1910)

Thursday 18th Feb. [D1/1118  Diary by by James Marwick, Lieut/Capt O.R.G.A (T)]
Fine all day - officer of the day - Admiral Sir S C Colville who is in full charge of Scapa defences was here about 1 o'clock. Capt. Van. was on board "Royal Arthur" at the time. - Had my clothes from home - a letter from M. and large bundle of papers from Ellison. - Telephone message that 5 (five) German Submarines seen off Hoy 65 miles. - One was reported off Switha island this morning. This is the day that the German blockade by Submarines begins. They probably will sink some merchant ships. Some of our men go on leave tomorrow and we are all going to get it.

27th Feb - In a Letter to the Admiralty from CSd/S C Colville
"I have been considering the question of attempting to permanently block Kirk Sound; if successful this would be a very great additional protection to the Fleet anchorage, and I consider it well worth trying although the very strong  tides in that channel may cause difficulties. Therefore on the Arrival of the “Minieh”, I intend sinking her to the southwards of steamship “Thames” in Kirk Sound (i.e. between the “Thames” and the North Corner of Lamb Holm).If the “Minieh” will stand in this position I then propose to sink another ship between the “Thames” and the “Numidian” the northernmost of the two sunken ships in Kirk Sound."


10th [March] : [D1/525 Extract from the Diary of Margaret Tait] Saw a real Indian on the street today, dark swarthy skin & scarf swathed over his head & hanging down over his shoulder. The wind had got in his thin blue trousers making them look like balloons. There were 13 German prisoners to be landed at Kwll pier today. Down to the mount this evening. The pier lights were shining over the water & Bay was full of ships lighted up making it look like a fairy land. It was one of the most lovely sights I ever saw.


13^th March 1915, The Orcadian, Kirkwall War Needlework And Knitting Association
The association despatched comforts last week to various societies:- to Navy League (Scottish Branch)- 5 mufflers, 3 helmets, 1 pair mitts, 2 pairs steering gloves, 5 pairs sea stockings: to British Red Cross:- 12 grey flannel shirts, 12 pairs flannel pants, 12 grey flannel vests, 3 flannel belts, 4 woollen scarves: to Lord Provost Edinburgh’s Fund for Comforts for men on active service:- 16 belts, 2 boxes of chocolates and 4 helmets.
A letter of acknowledgement has been received as follows from the Navy League:
Dear Madam, - I have to acknowledge the very kind contribution which you have sent on behalf of the Kirkwall War Needlework and Knitting Association. The parcel arrived safely and the articles you sent are very welcome, and can be sent at once where they are required. In response to your kind enquiry I have to say that our information at the present indicates that the sea stockings are the articles most in demand, while shirts, cardigans, and socks area also always welcome. If your association see fit to send us further contributions we shall be very grateful, and shall see that they are allocated where they are most required- Yours faithfully, etc

Talking of knitting here is a postcard sent back from France to Daisy Budge in Westray. D1/1183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, 15-3-15 [D1/1118  Diary by by James Marwick, Lieut/Capt O.R.G.A (T)]

   Very nasty day - wet and showery - watches 1a.m. - 8a.m. and 6p.m. - 1a.m. / Got word today about the sinking of German Cruiser "Dresden" off Juan Fernandez by our cruisers. She was supposed to be in territorial waters. We were all glad when word came through. I was on watch. The Captain and others celebrated it in style.

 

Sunday, 21-3-15 [D1/1118  Diary by by James Marwick, Lieut/Capt O.R.G.A (T)]

   Fair - Watches as usual - Colonel Harris had lunch with us. He was pleased with practice of last week. There are to be some new arrangements of watches and general camp routine - watches 4 hour shifts for men but we will retain our old way in officers - word of the sinking of two British Battleships & 1 French in the Dardanelles. / We get papers off the "Emperieuse" in Longhope.

 

 

 

 

Apr 24th: [D1/525 Extract from the Diary of Margaret Tait]

The weather has been very cold & the winds very searching all this month. There's been snow showers & hail off & on all this time & lots of rain. I've been down to the sea wall almost every evening. How I enjoy the breeze coming in from the sea. The ships in the Bay are as numerous as ever. Some of them are painted on the side showing their nationality. On the side of the one lying in the harbour two white squares were painted, with red crosses on the white. Coming along harbour street you see a large painted gate put up at the head of the pier guarded by a territorial. No-one is allowed down the pier except on business. There is a white motor launch lying in the Bay on board which is a Danish Prince who has been ashore walking through the town. There are also a number of wild beasts on board the yacht.

Willie has been home on his 8 day leave & has gone again. He got rainy weather all the time. The day before yesterday I went up Colwyn way & saw a Dreadnought lying at Scapa. She is the sister ship to the Queen Elizabeth which is fighting in the Dardanelles at present. Some German Zepelins have made a raid on the English coast again not doing much damage. Yesterday was  spring holiday here, but it rained all day & it was dull. The men folk were shifting their flowers out off this garden across the street to their next house. In the evening I went up early & packed a few of my things. We wont be long in this house now. Saw a Maltese sailor named Silvo Merno at P & L's corner. He looked a comic. On the 18th I posted a letter for E Petersen & a newspaper for Dave. There's been lots of German prisoners taken ashore at Kwll lately & sent south.
 

           

27th April - Lastly from the Royal Naval Reserve Letter/Memorandum book, reference CE55/4/31 we see a list of items in the free kit offered to new recruits.














Our current exhibitions chart Orkney's experience of WW1 at home through the use of official documents, letters home, newspaper articles, diaries and photographs. We have three so far, each covering three months of the war. Click the dates to see a taster of each display so far: Aug - Oct 1914, Nov 1914 - Jan 1915 and Feb - Apr 1915.