Caithness Field Club

Caithness Field Club Bulletin
2018

Editorial
For many years Ken Butler edited this Bulletin. Sadly he died last year, and his knowledge and expertise in putting together an interesting and informative magazine for the Field Club is much missed. Finding a replacement Editor has proved impossible, but the Bulletin has always been a welcome feature of Club membership, so it was felt important that publishing it should continue.

Elizabeth Rintoul and Janet MacKenzie decided to produce it jointly, even though it appears rather later than usual. We hope the result will compare reasonably with those edited by Ken and his predecessors. At our 2017 AGM, several long-standing Committee members stood down, expressing the hope that replacements would be found to carry on their work and maybe bring in new ideas.

We thank in particular Geoff Leet (ex-Chairman) and Marion Owen (ex-Secretary) for their sterling service over many years on the Committee in those capacities. We could not have done without them. We would also like here to give a tribute to other stalwart members who are sadly no longer with us: David Oliver, Jack Barnaby, Paul Humphreys and Lynn Leet. They have all either served on the Committee or helped in other ways. 

With new blood on the Committee, several different ideas for summer outings were tried last year. The motorcade which was usually the first outing of the season was changed to a rail outing to Kildonan, which was very successful (the fine weather helped). Several walks took place on other days of the week rather than on Sundays as had been the usual practice. The winter programme of talks and short outings was also successful. These changes have been well received, and we hope that this year will prove equally appealing. Last year the Field Club published a new booklet, “Visits to Historical Caithness”, which was edited by the late Ken Butler. This is laid out as a tour around the county and includes maps. It is proving to be very popular and has already had to be reprinted. It is available from local museums and also from the Treasurer. 

Finally, if any member has an item that could be included in next year’s Bulletin, for which we already have some material, please let either Elizabeth or Janet know. We would be delighted to have your contribution. Next year we hope to produce the Bulletin in April for distribution at the AGM as previously, and would like to receive articles as soon as possible. 

Elizabeth Rintoul Editor Janet Mackenzie Sub-Editor