Orkney Image Library

See picture #1631 for an inside view of Dad Kemp's Barber.
I do remember going there, but only just.

Indeed, this was Dad Kemp's barber shop and he was the best Mens' barber in Kirkwall, nobody could cut a Crew cut like him. He turned it into a dwelling house when he retired and his niece went into it when she got married. Added by Phil Brough.

Dad Kemps where if you were not too big he used to sit you on a box placed on the seat and then proceed to cut your hair. After the haircut he would sprinkle on the Bay Rum, I can still remember the lovely aroma. Then it was off across the road to Geesh Linklaters for a lolly and then up Victoria Road and home.

Dad Kemp didn't just to men's hair. My dad took me there when I was peedie and, yes, I used to sit on the box on the seat.
Probably by the time I was six or seven, I wanted to go to a proper hairdresser's. Down the street to, the now, Victoria Salon. What did you call folk that had it back in the late 50's and into the 60's?

Chalmers the Hairdresser.

[I agree, my granny always used to go to Edie Chalmers - Steven]

I well remember Mr Jezek cutting my hair at Chalmers hairdresser. In fact my mother still has some of the first curls he cut off!

When I needed my first haircut, 'Dad' Kemp was in the adjacent building ( you can see part of the wall on the right hand side). When he vacated it a few years thereafter, occupancy was taken up by Mrs Carter, a widow, and her three childern, the eldest, George, his brother whose name escapes me, and the daughter, Nancy, who had film-star looks! Mrs. Carter had a chip shop in the front area where 'Dad' Kemp used to be. She was an extremely nice lady who was a sister of the late Peter Twatt, Grainbank House, Kirkwall.

I remember my brother going to dad Kemp's and then Mum would take me to Eddie Chalmers. I refused to go back again after getting it done for my auntie Margaret's wedding, Eddie used small rollers on my already curly hair so you can guess what that turned out like. In the not to politically correct days I told mum "I look like a golliwog"
It was Hazel Grieve after that the male hairdresser of 1960's who did women's hair, Bobby Hall and I had what was all the go at that time the Mia Farrow hairdo, short and feathered and there was no need for rollers it was so short they wouldn't have gone in!

Lex, the brother's name was Ernie and he joined the Merchant Navy. After he married a lass from Harray he emigrated to australia. Nancy was in my year at school, along with Inga Swanney, they were very bonnie lasses. Added by Phil Brough.

Thanks Phil. Interesting to know Ernie went to Australia where I assume he continues to reside? I think George went to NZ. Nancy, I believe, stays somewhere in the South of England.

Sadly all of that Family have passed away. Ernie used to work on the Earl Thorfin, before going to New Zealand. His Wife was Dorothy Johnstone who lived In Finstown before going to Harray.

Hi there, it's so nice to come across all of this.

My name is Tracey Carter I am a granddaughter of Ernie and Dorothy Carter. He moved to NZ around 1960 and George and his wife Violet did so too.

Unfortunately they have all recently passed away. I would love to know more about my Grandads life in Orkney, even more about this place where he lived if anyone can tell me?

Mr. Jezek was my Uncle. My father's brother. He was born in Lwow Poland and had a very sweet sense of humour. I live in Canada. Martine Jezek

I mind Dad Kemp had the Durex on the shelf and wid ask if you needed any!.

And what was your reply John?
(I think barbers must have been required by law to ask male customers if they needed something for the weekend.)

Wasn't there a Sinclair hairdressers at the top of Victoria St, then Donaldson's butchers went in to that shop?

Yip Tracy I worked with Ernie on Thorfinn, was at their wedding, also got two pics of him in my peedie book Sailing with Steam