Orkney Image Library

is this no skatehorn

see picture #25073

Skatehorn

Could this be "Skatehorn"? his name was William Laughton and he originally came from Caithness to Orkney. Added by Phil Brough.

Also known as 'Skatehorn', this gentleman was a well-known and, according to my mother at least, somewhat disreputable Orkney character around the turn of the 19th/20th centuries. He appeared in a number of Tom Kent photos of the time, most famously in company with a pennyfarthing bike (whether his own or a photographer's 'prop' I know not).

He was known as 'Skatehorn'.

Is that the fellow that was known as skate horn ?

See picture #4618 which looks like the same hat, if not the same man, William Laughton, aka'Skatehorn'. Tom Kent produced several photos of him which made Skatehorn and his alternative lifestyle quite a talking point.

This would have been the Tramp known localy as "Skatehorn" would it not??.
(He should have gone to Asda !!.)

Robert Rendall wrote of Skatehorn: "Skatehorn’s visits to Kirkwall were infrequent. Or was it that school hindered us from seeing much of him? I can remember him standing in the middle of Broad Street, conspicuously re-arranging old newspapers in the crown of his battered bowler."

why was he called "skatehorn"

There is a house near tae Melsetter that was at on time called Skatehorn I wonder if there might be a connection?.
Willie Doull lived there and didna want his house refered tae as Skatehorn so is seemed it was a derogitory term.
Anyane ken more o this? might this Skatehorn have lived there? there was a strong connection wae Caithness and Brims at one time is it possible that this man crossed over and lived at this house? Whaa kens??.

The old people who remembered Skatehorn said that in his adult life, he never slept in a bed, until he went into the County home. He simply used the most convenient barn for his slumber.

John you might be right with the derogatory term. I mind reading somewhere that some parts of the fish skate were no use and people used to be called after these parts if they were useless. It sounds a bit harsh though for poor Willie.