Orkney Image Library

I remember the Barabel and her crew very well. Having sailed on her at this time, the "Barabel" actualy belonged to Robert Rendall the Writer and Poet who also owned George Rendall @ Co. Drapers, Bridge St. Other crewmen were Arnold Laughton and Arther Findlison who came after Sandy Harrold. The Barabel won just about everything, including the first Errol Bruce race around Shapinsay. The Barabel was previously owned by the Mckay family who owned the Kirkwall Hotel and the Stromness Hotel. She was known as the "Trixie" then.I was a message boy at George Rendall @ Co., for 5 years and sailed on her until I was sixteen I have some photos of the Barabel which I will print on shortly. Added by Phil Brough.16 march 2009.

When I was a boy I remember a keel yacht laid up in a yard next to Miller's showroom on Junction Rd (Maxwell's Yard?) She was called Soley. She did go back in the water and with Naughty Girl, that made three keel yachts sailing at one time but that didn't last. The Naughty Girl was converted to power and Dan Kirkpatrick and Peesto Bews creeled with her.

Anyone know what became of Soley?

Soli, as she was known left Orkney eventually, and was finally in the Dundee area.
Record I have was that Soli received a Viking Burial at Tayport, because of her advanced state of decomposition.
Sorry to end on such a sombre note Fred.

Thanks for the information about Soli, Peter.

There was another fixed keel yacht belonging to John Foulis the Butcher, Bridge St., I think her name was the "Skeldro". John was Commodore of The Orkney Sailing Club and Captain of the Boys Brigade. I was a near neighbour of the Foulis family on Cromwell Road for 11 years until we moved to Ayre Houses in 1951. So that made four keel yachts sailing for a few years. Davy Cooper who owned the Soli lengthened her by three feet to take her up to the 22 feet class but it did not improve her sailing. I believe the Barabel was bought later on by one of the Porteus family in Stromness who later gifted to the Nautical College as a training ship. I used to see her moored off in the harbour. Could anybody tell me what happened to her latterly?

Russell, thanks for your picture of the"Barabel", it certainly has brought back memories for me. I remember sailing on the "Barabel" at the Rousay Regatta and your grandfather Sandy Harrold was Skipper then. We won two cups that day. Sandy was a great helmsman. I learned a lot from him.