Orkney Image Library

New Picture

Photo taken,at Cannigal Farm, St.Ola. At the wheel is Ian Macdonald and his Wife Pip who were Friends of the Russell Family, none of the two could drive so they learned to drive in this cut down Austin,A 55, Van which we used for carting the peats out of the Hill at Gaitnip. Ian was a 1st.Officer with the Cunard Line so he was hardly ashore long to learn to drive. I cut peats for 10 years in the Gaitnip Hill taught by my father-in-law Harry Russell and his son Maurice. Maurice and me could cut a years burning in one day, about 400 Bags of Peat. I used to go to the hill about 4 a.m. in the morning before I went to work, the only sound was the birds starting to sing and no Midges to bother you. With the Price of Fuel at the moment it would be a great option. Photo taken at a guess 1965. Added by Phil Brough.
View Large Version