The Orkney Image Library
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Another pic from Dougie Shearers collection sent by Craig Taylor showing the old gasworks being knocked down.The gasworks were where Castleyards now stand.
The date is an estimate.
Yes, Orkney used to have a gasworks (until town gas was replaced by natural gas), and also used to have Coastguard stations, a lighthouse depot, customs office, tax office, local telephone operators, local water board office, Tourist Board, and an air ambulance service that could be relied on. But I imagine our politicians will tell us that is integration, not centralisation, and expect us to believe it.
Picture added on 02 February 2005
have you anymore pictures or info on the gasworks?
Added by dan hirtle on 07 February 2005
Looking for another picture, I came across this one. It is worth remembering that there was a Gas Works in Stromness and in Shapinsay.
The Canmore website states of the Shapinsay Gas Works that 'Cylindrical stone tower with red brick cap, a ring of rectangular windows, one doorway and several ornamental plaques. Former gasometer for Balfour Castle and village.
Gifford notes the red sandstone panel is reputed to have originated from Noltland Castle, Westray and is carved with the Balfour coat of arms, with date 1725 added with the initials of John Balfour of Trenabie and Elizabeth Traill. Above it is a 17th century yellow sandstone scroll sided dormerhead bearing a rose and thistle and to the left a 17th century pedimented dormerhead with the relief of a unicorn.'
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The Canmore website states of the Shapinsay Gas Works that 'Cylindrical stone tower with red brick cap, a ring of rectangular windows, one doorway and several ornamental plaques. Former gasometer for Balfour Castle and village.
Gifford notes the red sandstone panel is reputed to have originated from Noltland Castle, Westray and is carved with the Balfour coat of arms, with date 1725 added with the initials of John Balfour of Trenabie and Elizabeth Traill. Above it is a 17th century yellow sandstone scroll sided dormerhead bearing a rose and thistle and to the left a 17th century pedimented dormerhead with the relief of a unicorn.'
Added by Bruce Gorie on 24 April 2021
Kirkwall
