Orkney Image Library

Brings back poignant memories. One day, early in the war, a group of soldiers were waiting for the Lyness ferry. What appeared to be a buoy was being washed up just where this photo shows. A friend (Jim Drever) tried to get hold of it and fortunately couldn't. Later two young soldiers did grab it and it proved to be a mine and killed them both.

Another memory - again just after war started. I found a peculiar bottle a few yards from this spot, it had a round bottom and a label "BREAK ME". With some trepidation I threw it against a rock as far away as I could, war had just started and at thirteen years old I was taking no chances. There was some papers inside, it had been put in the sea at Aberdeen by the Dept of Ag and Fish. I was asked to return a card giving date and location of find which I did and in due course got a five shilling postal order for my trouble.
Just about where the photographer was standing there was a shack made from Colas (road making tar) drums where an old fisherman lived. We called him Faery Jock - I think his name was Harcus. He didn't get along well with Jim Muir, the Harbour Master, but then not many could.