Orkney Image Library

No bother gettin a tractor to Graemsay in them days. I remember taking Bill Sinclair's Fordson Major to Flotta on her. That made the winch squeal. Had to be taken off at high tide.

When did Albert take over as skipper and from who?

Albert took over when Jimmy Robson retired, don't know date.

Father retired in November 1965 - after this date he did relief work when Albert was on holiday.

i am looking for information about the hoy head in 1947. Does anyone have any memories of that era?

Is it possible that the date of this photograph is wrong. Could be that the David Brown tractor was heading for Groats of Big Wards and Kirbister and the other tractor to Basil Groat at Origil. This would make the year 1969.
There is a bairn on the top deck. I wonder who that was.

Did the Hoy Head only do the trip to the south isles on a Monday or Friday as far back as 1947?

Date could easily be wrong because it was only an estimate to fill in the mandatory box. Does anyone remember when the new wheelhouse was fitted?

Any idea who took the photo?

As far as I can remember, the wheelhouse was altered at refit in 1968.

Did the Bu of Aith no hiv a Davie Broon like that? I am sure it was BBS

Yes Michael, the Bu did have a Davie Broon, but if it was the same one as I remember, it came to the Island in the days of the old steam Hoy Head or Orcadia.(Ex. Playfair)

How many david browns were on hoy at the time?

Monica, when I was a boy (a long long time ago) most passengers going and coming from the south isles used the navy MFVs from Houton.I don't know how this was worked but there was a bus from Kirkwall to meet them and I suppose there must have been 1 from Stromness too.

Thanks William. You may be interested in an article I have written which mentions the Hoyhead and wis to be published spring 2009. Will give more details soon.