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All members of the Society
are invited to a private viewing of the 2007 Summer exhibition in the Ross
Institute on Tuesday 26 June at 7pm. A finger buffet by local caterers
Hasty Tasty and fine wine will be served.
Star Attraction - A
Motor Bike Made For The Russian Imperial Army But Never Sent
 The
star attraction will be a very rare vintage motorcycle (1917 new imperial)
kindly loaned by John Bremner, Halkirk. The motorcycle is part of the
fantastic collection of John’s late grandfather, John A. Bremner, West
End, Castletown. The Halkirk vintage motor enthusiasts have put together
another vast display of car artefacts for your viewing pleasure. For a
village the size of Halkirk, the quality and quantity of vintage motor
vehicles and memorabilia is truly amazing. It is no wonder that motor
enthusiasts from all over the UK are green with envy when they see what is
tucked away in various local garages.
Altnabreac Peat
Development Scheme - Photo Display
There will be an eye catching display of photographs of the Altnabreac
Peat Development scheme, kindly loaned by John Bain, Spittal, who worked
on the scheme way back in the 1950’s. The Scottish Hydro Electric Board in
conjunction with the Peat Marketing Board, built an experimental power
station at Braehour Farm, Scotscalder, that was fuelled by peat from the
Altnabreac moor. The peat was transported to the station by a diesel
locomotive on a narrow gauge railway. The B&W photos have been transposed
onto clear acrylic panels giving a very dramatic effect. Problems with
fine ash blocking the pipework meant that the scheme was abandoned in
1960.
Vintage Cars Photo
Display
There is also a new photo display of some of the vintage cars and
motorcycles owned by John MacKay, Edward Sutherland, Sandy Bremner & John
Bremner all of Halkirk. Four gleaming cars and two sparkling motorcycles
have been captured in modern digital format and colourfully displayed on
wrap-round canvas panels to give an eye catching 2D effect.
Recently Discovered
Silver Cup Goes On Display
William Harper, Wick, has recently donated an unusual and historic silver
cup to the Society. The totally black cup was rescued from a hotel cellar
and after several hours of elbow grease was transformed. Sir Tollemache
Sinclair presented the cup to the Halkirk Rifle Volunteers in 1883. This
is an organisation that nobody in the Society new existed and most likely
evolved into the Halkirk Rifle Club, making the club one of the oldest in
Scotland. The body of the cup looks like it is the cone of an artillery
shell and this is supported by crossed cricket bats and three cricket
stumps. A most unusual feature that is not related to shooting!
Big Book Shows Halkirk
Alberta History
Also on display will be a large book on the history of Halkirk, Alberta in
Canada. The village was named in 1909 by a railway worker who came from
Halkirk, Caithness. The book has hundreds of fascinating photographs of
the early settlers. If you look hard enough you will find an Ulbster Arms
luggage label that was issued to travellers in the early 1900’s. It is the
only one known to exist.
Opening Times In 2007
The exhibition will be open to the public between Wed 27 June and Thurs 16
August on the following days of the week;
Tuesdays 2-3pm
Wednesdays 7-8pm
Thursdays 2-3pm
Sundays 2-3.30pm
Admission is free, but
donations are welcome.
 Viewings at other
times can be arranged if advance notice is given to Billy Manson. Halkirk
coasters and postcards will be for sale at £2 and 75p respectively. All
profits will be ploughed back into the Society for next year’s exhibition.
The extra large postcard is thought to be the first Halkirk postcard to be
issued in over 30 years.
Still Looking For More
Halkirk Old Photos
The management committee is still gathering photos and information
covering the gala week, the wars, and sports clubs. If you have anything
on these please contact Billy Manson or any committee member on duty
during the exhibition.
Billy’s telephone No. is 01847 831459. |
