The Orkney Image Library
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Before the days of tarmac! approximate date
View Large VersionPicture added on 26 August 2009
Bill Leonard's dog, Kimmy, sitting out in the carriageway, opposite 24 High Street.
Added by Grant Leonard on 14 September 2009
The land on the left side (looking down) was bought by my grandfather, when he started his building business. R.C.Findlay & Sons. I think the price of each site was £50
Added by Brian Findlay on 16 September 2009
My name is Bill Smith and recently my cousin Jim Rosie and his wife Chris from Kirkwall visited my wife Pat and me in White Rock, British Columbia where we now live. They brought to my attention this website which I have been exploring.
The first photograph that amazed me was picture #22482 by contributor Neil Johnstone showing Bill Leonard’s dog, Kimmy, out in the carriageway opposite 24, High Street apparently in year 1920.
I was born at 24, High Street, Kirkwall on the 1st of November, 1928. My father’s name was George Smith and my mother’s maiden name was Emma Saunders Rosie. Of course I remember the Leonard’s who lived next door in 26, High Street. Walter a son was one of my friends. Just prior to my being conscripted into the Army in 1947 my mother died of breast cancer. If I remember correctly it was shortly after that that my Dad asked Walter’s sister Nora to come to look after the house for him. And then later on he sold the house to Nora and moved in to live with his sister Bella, whose husband John Ross, the dentist in Kirkwall had died and she was living alone close bye on Old Scapa Road.
My wife and I were visiting Orkney in 1999 staying with my cousin Jim Rosie who lives on Berstane Road. At that time we visited 24, High Street and knocked on the door and although we heard a little dog barking no one came to answer the door. I did have a photograph taken of me standing at the door of 24, High Street and I will try to download it to this website.
The first photograph that amazed me was picture #22482 by contributor Neil Johnstone showing Bill Leonard’s dog, Kimmy, out in the carriageway opposite 24, High Street apparently in year 1920.
I was born at 24, High Street, Kirkwall on the 1st of November, 1928. My father’s name was George Smith and my mother’s maiden name was Emma Saunders Rosie. Of course I remember the Leonard’s who lived next door in 26, High Street. Walter a son was one of my friends. Just prior to my being conscripted into the Army in 1947 my mother died of breast cancer. If I remember correctly it was shortly after that that my Dad asked Walter’s sister Nora to come to look after the house for him. And then later on he sold the house to Nora and moved in to live with his sister Bella, whose husband John Ross, the dentist in Kirkwall had died and she was living alone close bye on Old Scapa Road.
My wife and I were visiting Orkney in 1999 staying with my cousin Jim Rosie who lives on Berstane Road. At that time we visited 24, High Street and knocked on the door and although we heard a little dog barking no one came to answer the door. I did have a photograph taken of me standing at the door of 24, High Street and I will try to download it to this website.
Added by Bill Snith on 19 January 2010
I have photos of High Street from this time, and can email them to you Bill.
Added by Grant Leonard on 20 January 2010
Kirkwall
