Orkney Image Library

I remember your great grandparents well as I used to live between their house and the petrol station. I remember going to see their parrot and I also mind they had a tiny peedie dog which I wasn't too sure of! If I remember right they used to go to live in their house at Sunnybank Road for the summer and moved back down to Bridge street in the winter. I used to go to Millers in the mornings before school to buy my pack of Pomona Crisps. I couldn't see over the top of the really high counter so Jackie would let me come to the other side. Scary to think that this is over 35 years ago now.

I can also remember another dog that Jeck Miller had. It was a big black labrador, very friendly too. One day I was leaning on the Ayre Road dyke and he came and sat beside me. On looking at the i/d disc on his collar, I went away with something of a smile on my face. On it was inscribed "I'm Jock Miller's dog, whose dam dog are you"?
Anonymouse.

We got the parrot from my Granddad Willie Miller and took it to Edinburgh and it made some noise. It sometimes would say... "Oh...aye" in an Orkney accent and would also swear as well, but heaven only knows where it got that from. Also would whistle and if left alone it would talk like it was in a conversation with someone.. it was really funny.. must have been my Great Grandmother.