Foggietoddlers

Jim Smith’s mention of foggietoddlers (Letters, November) reminded me of how a crofter at Ordie, on Deeside below Culbean, classified bees when we spoke one summer’s day in 1966. “We hiv three types,” he opined. “Reed arises, yella arises and foggietoddlers.”

Gordon Casely, Aberdeen.

 

Holidays At Killiecrankie

The letter from Mr Ian Rattray in the September issue fairly mad my memory cells work overtime, taking me back to the pre-war times and my school holidays, some of which I spent with family relations at the Inch of Algrinaig at Killiekrankie. Frank and Susie Burns were the official guides to the Pass and their story was that the face had been carved on the stone of the viaduct on the instructions of the viaduct constructor in thanks for the fact that there had been no serious accidents arising in the course of its construction. My fellow readers may also be interested to know that the three estate workers cottages, which comprised their residence, have now been completely demolished and all that remains of them is in the form of the stone wall separating the site from the road. However, if they wish to see it as it was, the National Trust for Scotland historic file, held in their premises on the site, contains a painting by Largs artist, Margaret Macgregor, which she was able to construct from our old family photographs. Believe it or not, one of the other memories that Mr Rattray has stirred is that of my almost daily task of taking over from the other side of the road (the A91) the supplies of drinking water required and found in a “well” on the hillside.

J. R. D. Campbell, Largs, North Ayrshire.

MEMORY LANE

Two articles in the December issue brought back memories. The miracle of improvisation reminded me of my time in the Home Guard, which I joined at the age of 16. I was tall for my age, and nobody asked me how old I was. I was issued with a 300 calibre Canadian Ross rifle, went home and frightened my mother. We threw Mills bombs and learned to use a machine gun, which looked as if it had been taken from a very early aircraft, and we had a van kitted out like Cpl. Jones’ butcher’s van. At this time I was working for my uncle who was the village blacksmith, which brings me to the next article, “Heat And Fire”. My uncle and I didn’t get on and while the Home Guard was still voluntary I resigned and joined the army at the age of 17 years 6 months. The Army in its wisdom decided for once to put a round peg in a round hole, and I was sent to Glasgow to learn the basics of blacksmithing. The blacksmith’s shop was situated at the top of North Frederick Street in temporary buildings in one of the colleges. Our instructor was a civilian, who had worked in the shipyards, by the name of Jock Bell, a canny Scot if ever there was one. I think I became his favourite pupil as I was quite keen at the time and he called me “that country bloke” , probably because of my accent. We were in civvy billets and it was almost like going to work. Eventually, I met a young lady who was to become my wife. At the end of six weeks I was mustered as a hammerman. After a week’s leave and my 18th birthday I returned to the real Army and a toughening-up course after the cushy time in Glasgow. During one of my leaves I visited the college where Jock Bell was teaching a class of Polish prisoners who had been captured fighting for the Germans. He was very pleased to see me as I don’t think anyone else had gone back to see him. I had tea with him and the interpreter in the holy of holies in the college basement. I left the Army as a first-class blacksmith and later started my own business, which my son now owns. I have a soft spot for Glasgow and Jock Bell who gave me a good foundation for my trade, and for my late wife who supported me through thick and thin for over 60 years.

Mr L. W. Gibbs, Banbury.

 

WICK & LYBSTER RAILWAY

I found Gordon Casely’s article about the short-lived Wick & Lybster Light railway of great interest (January 2010 issue). His remark about “the ancient six-wheeled carriages” that were used on the line reminded me of a photograph I took in August 1982 of a Class 37 locomotive leaving Wick with an Inverness train. In the background is an old passenger carriage body being used as a bothy for railwaymen and which looks similar to those used on the Lybster branch. Perhaps knowledgeable readers could identify this railway relic?

Peter Myers, Oldmeldrum.

Defending Scotland

The RAF has for many years played an important role in the defence of Scotland. The oldest unit dates back to 1913 at Montrose. Although closed after World Ward One it re-opened in 1936 for flying training. World War Two saw various units based there. One of the first casualties was Flying Officer Burrell of 269 Sqdn. who was killed by enemy action over the North Sea on 19th September 1939. Ground crews worked very hard in those days to keep aircraft in the air. Considering that to put an aircraft into the air every day, up to five tradesmen had to append their signatures to Form 700, the document authorising the daily flight. These tradesmen comprised a fitter, rigger, instrument mechanic, electrician and armourer. Each had to have checked his particular part of the aircraft. By this system, it was easy to see who had done what on the aircraft. Of course, a senior N.C.O. had to oversign when all the tradesmen had signed. Only then could the pilot sign his name. Although this system might seem complicated, it worked very well and serviceability of the aircraft was maintained to a very high standard. However, enemy aircraft could, and did, play havoc at times, but we just had to cope as best we could.

Jack Drummond. A Member of the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre.

 

Highland Games

From the 1970s until leaving California in 2006, our family regularly attended the Scottish Games sponsored by The Caledonian Club of San Francisco. For many years, these Games were held in Santa Rosa, California, which was never more than 90 miles from where I lived. Santa Rosa is roughly an hour's drive north of San Francisco. It was always a pleasure to see Bill Anderson compete. He was always the commensurate gentleman, always gracious, affable, and a credit to Scotland. These Games moved some years ago to Pleasanton, south of San Francisco. It is my understanding that they are the largest in attendance in the world, with 40,000 having been recorded. This move, though, came long after Bill Anderson had retired. Isla St. Clair from Scotland was a singer at these games the last few years we were in California.

Robert B. MacDonald Seminole, Florida, USA.