Saturday 29 January 2011

Talking about Sutherland Street

The programme of street talks is well underway and audiences in excess of 30 are coming back again and again to enjoy the banter and learn about the houses in Helmsdale.  The first talk focused on Shore Street and the development of the early fishing village and then proceeded with the second talk about Dunrobin Street and the early commercial development of the village in the early 1800s.  The latest talk on Sutherland Street was presented by Joan Murray, a member of our research group. 
 


 Joan has really looked into every house in some detail and was able to recount the history to each house to a captivated audience.  She informed the group that there used to be a smiddy (blacksmith) on the street in c1873, but it was gone by c1906.  She showed the group an image of a house called Valhalla, which was formerly the old police station.  A few entries from the police log book gives a fascinating insight into the life of a local bobby back in 1874.

Monday 2 March 1874
At 8 am, left my Station and patrolled the village generally during the day. Completed weekly and monthly reports. Also reported the number of men employed on the Railway between Helmsdale and County March for week ending Saturday 28th ultimo being as follows, viz; Railway Labourers 227, Masons and their Labourers 26, Platelayers 30, Wirefencers 9, Telegraph men 9, Carters 4, Joiners 2. A  total of 307 men. 

Attended the arrival and departure of afternoon trains. Called on D. Macdonald, Station Agent, Helmsdale. Called on Mary Sutherland or Fraser, Lotter, West Helmsdale and warned her according to the CC instructions anent my report of 13th and 19th Ultimo to tie up her dog or destroy it. 

Forwarded an Application for a Pedlar’s Certificate for Ian Harper aged 26 years a Hawker, presently residing at Upper Helmsdale. Patrolled the village during the evening. Attended the departure of mail coach at 8.40 pm. 

Night Duty – At 9.30 pm patrolled the village, visited the Porter and Ale House occupied by Jane Sutherland or Mackay at 11.5 pm, visited Anderson’s Inn at 11.10pm, found them regular. Returned to my Station at 11.30 pm.

The current owner of the house kindly allowed us to photograph the original windows of the cells at the rear of the house, complete with iron bars.

 

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Chatting in the street!


The Wednesday sessions have progressed from desk-based research to walks around the village to locate houses, take photographs and chat to local residents. It is so nice to see people meeting up to chat about the streets project and some residents have kindly invited us into their homes and gardens to see features from the past. The main aim is to locate the different houses on a street and note where houses used to be, in the past, before they were demolished.


The recent walk along Old Caithness Road brought back many memories by group members Christine Cowie, Jean Sargent and Jim Mackay. Christine used to go to the old school (now called Rutherford Terrace)and then attended the new school built in 1955. She is pictured here sitting on the steps outisde the school as a child in the late1950s and sitting on the steps today - she hasn't changed a bit!

 Christine (back left) sitting on the school steps late 1950s

 Christine sitting on the school steps today

Trip to the Inverness Archive


The new archive centre in Inverness houses a large collection of records from this area, including valuation rolls and census records.  The research trip that took place on Wednesday 12th January was very productive and a second trip is planned for mid February.  The members of the group were able to browse through valuation rolls dating back to 1874 through to the 1980s.  A number of valuation rolls have been copied for both Kildonan and Loth Parishes and  are now available in the Timespan Archive to consult.

Group photograph inside the Inverness Archive