Orkney Image Library

willow burn culvert

Culvert of the Papdale Burn somewhere between the Willows and the Pee*ie Sea?

Is it doon the kirkwall pier where openings for loading cattle used to be

Yes, Willow Burn culvert. Paul, have you ever been in the culvert? This picture was taken near the Albert Hotel where the culvert turns to go down the front of the hotel.

No, I've not been in it, but I saw a photo of it years ago. You don't have a picture of it at the Bridge do you? I was told recently that the last time the street was dug up there you could see a flight of steps that folk used for getting down to wash clothes in the burn.

Paul, the only place that I ever mind steps was at the foot of the entrance to the road up to old tattie crisp factory [North Ronaldsay Square, off of Queen Street]. I have photos o' the steps somewhere in my collection- when I find them I'll submit them. There is a manhole access at the steps. When I worked with the Kirkwall town council at least once a year the burn culvert was checked, and with OIC at regular periods. I took many pictures.

I'm not sure if the steps I heard about were in the culvert or outside of it and therefore only visible when the street was dug up. There must be an awful lot of Kirkwall's past hidden just below the surface, but archaeological sites in the countryside seem to get all the attention. I suppose when roadworks or digging foundations etc reveal anything, the pressure is to cover it up quickly before it holds up the project.

Beneath the Watergate?

Where does the papdale burn end and the willow burn begin?
Always confused me...is it only the willow burn in the willows?
When they built KGS, as kids, we used to be able to walk a great distance underground before they closed the opening at the papdale end, always wondered if you could get right through to the opening at willows, but never had the courage to try.

We used to go from KGS end to papdale end when we was kids, so thin we could sqeeze through railing. plus we used to go into end under street sometimes with our father when he worked for the town council.

Answer for Chris, when the Papdale Burn entered the "Duckie" it came out at the other end as the Willowburn.

Arthur, I would like to know which part of the street you went down with your dad. I used to work with him, many memories. How far did you walk and what did you find?