Orkney Image Library

Wow. That red Escort van looks really cool! I remember going to Sunday School in the Cathedral in the late 60's/early 70's, and one day our Bible teacher told us little 'uns that the Cathedral roof had serious cracks in it, and was only made of sand. At the time I remember praying, praying really hard that the Cathedral didn't crash down on us, when we were trapped in bible class! Needless to say it didn't, but note the scaffold here. The 1972 St Magnus Fair was the first effort to highlight the need for ongoing restoration. And that these things don't come cheap. Wasn't Fred Hargreaves (TV personality, "How!") not an early patron? Also, needless to say, the Cathedral will still be here when we are all gone!

I remember the OIC having a couple of MkI Escort vans at one time. The same vans would be worth a bit now (if they were in good condition!).

Must have bought them "elsewhere" as the only record we have is for an Escort 400 Mk1 Van registered to Kirkwall Town Council on 30th Sept 1971. Registration CBS175K.
On a point of interest the "current" OIC fleet colour scheme (Orange) all started on 1st Oct 1975 when the then Roads Foreman (a Mr C Tulloch) took delivery of a new Cortina 1.6L Estate painted Ford Phoenix Orange (the same colour spec as still exists today)

I'm sure they were JBS***T which would make them MkII but they were certainly the style of the MkI? Were escort vans still made like this at the time?

JBS 887T registered 13th Dec 1978 colour riviera blue and JBS 889T registered 1st Jan 1979 colour tuscan beige. For info JBS 888T went on an Escort 1300l also in tuscan beige, registered to the late Tom Rendall. A well known figure who worked in the hydro shop. The vans were mk2 versions.

These 2 vans that Dave has mentioned were for the electricians at the Burgh Yard.

The Hillman Minx Estate CBS 374K, which I think may have belonged to a local optician, is parked outside the premises of George Bain, painter and decorater, Broad Street (Bain is presently based on Great Western Road, but no longer employing painters). Behind the Hillman is a scooter which belonged to Freddie Corsie, who worked for Bain, along with my dad. You can see Freddie in action on his motor bike in one of the early 1990's Red Cross Orkney videos. Behind the scooter is a Mini van, which may have been run by Peter McKinlay. I recall Peter running a white Mini Clubman Estate in 1976. George Bain was one of the "old school" of Kirkwall business men, and, all these years later, I'm glad that I met him, albeit as a peedie boy.