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Date is a guess at around the early 1900s. Photo has been creased which is a pity. Don't know who the house was for or where it stands. The only thing I know about the people in the photo are the men in white were painters working for the original G.D.Bain,Kirkwall. The man on the left of the back two standing is John Copeland who lived at Copelands' Lane off the foot of School Place. The man in the middle row 3rd.from the right is James Brough, my Grandfather. John Copeland worked long after retiring age,in fact he went back to work at the outside windows at Council Buildings on School Place at the age of 80, He had no fear of heights. Added by Phil Brough.
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Picture added on 19 April 2010 at 11:53
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Mystery places or things or people
Mystery places or things or people
I think this is Swanbister House in Orphir
Added by Stuart Croy on 19 April 2010
This is a mystery no longer,you are indeed correct Stuart.
The man standing in the middle row 4th from the right,(next to your grandfather Phil) is none other than my grandfather William (Bill) Burges who was a plumber at this time in his career.
He went on to work in the Kirkwall Power Station after it was built.
The man standing in the middle row 4th from the right,(next to your grandfather Phil) is none other than my grandfather William (Bill) Burges who was a plumber at this time in his career.
He went on to work in the Kirkwall Power Station after it was built.
Added by Peter Burges on 20 April 2010
Thanks Stuart for the information on the house. Are you related to Gavin Croy who worked many years at Swanbister Farm with Davy Bews who was an Uncle of my wife Margaret (nee Russell)? Added by Phil Brough.
Anonymous comment added on 20 April 2010
Yes Phil I am Gavin's eldest son, I remember Dave and Mary Bews very well they lived in the cottage
at Swanbister until Dave retired.
at Swanbister until Dave retired.
Added by Stuart Croy on 22 April 2010