Olrig Observations

Visitors to Castlehill Heritage Centre often ask if there are any remaining members of the Traill family living locally. To try to answer this, Muriel reveals her research into what the future held for James Traill and his large family.

Muriel interviews Janet Thomson from New Zealand, a recent visitor to Castlehill Heritage Centre, who tells the fascinating story behind a memorial stone which stands proud on nearby Dunnet Head and commemorates family member Hugh Thomson who died when he crashed his WWII Spitfire there in February 1942.

Inspired by the history of the now deserted buildings at Castlehill, two visitors to Castlehill Heritage Centre recall in verse those who lived and worked in this once vibrant site.

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Society member Sharon Pottinger explores the history and use of the three official languages that are written or spoken in Caithness today: English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic.

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Whilst researching the history of his house in Dunnet, local historian Drew Gutteridge uncovers the fascinating story of a previous resident - Hugh Ross Alan, who was a salvage diver and decorated WWII hero.

In the early 1800s Britain was on the brink of war with Napoleon. The exchange of letters between a Caithness father and son reveals familiar tensions as young Donald Williamson starts out on his military career. His demands, emotions and ultimate end reflect the story of many young servicemen in subsequent wars.

Originally built as Public Reading Rooms in 1866, the imposing Traill Hall remains an icon of the Traill legacy in Castletown. The new owner reveals aspects of the history of the hall and some of the features revealed during its ongoing renovation and conversion into a family home.

The concept of learning through an apprenticeship has a very long history. Looking into some local examples from the past threw up some interesting facts....

A local war-time wedding photo from 1917 gives substance to the quote "A hero is an ordinary man doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times".

While checking her watch, Muriel ponders on the local history of the timepiece.