Orkney Image Library

Postie's Garden.

John MacDonald was the Orphir postie. He lived at Midland Cottage and his garden was his pride and joy. He had a spring show then replanted for his summer display. There must be hundreds of photos of this garden taken over the years as many people would stop and take pictures.

What a bonny garden Is the house still there?

We knew this as 'Postie's Garden'. I think his name was John Macdonald but I may be wrong. We often took a detour via Houton to see the garden on our way to see relatives at Lingo. He filled his garden with colour every year.

The house pictured here belonged to"John the Postie", as he was known being the Orphir Postman. It was a great tourist attraction for a long time. John was not an Orcadian but that did not stop him having a beautiful Garden. Added by Phil Brough.

Did he no hiv palm trees in his gairden?

Yes there are palm trees in this garden, just out of shot in this picture. They are still there and growing well. The palm trees are at the top left hand corner of the garden.