Dateline: 20 November 2023 |
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Latest podcast released - 'Daisy's Map' Join Muriel as she tells the story of Daisy's Map. 100 years ago Margaret Sinclair (known as Daisy) emigrated to Canada as a twelve year old. Homesick for Castletown she drew a map in pencil of the village. Now the map has returned to Caithness and provides an insight into life as Daisy saw it. Click here to play episode |
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Dateline: 16 November 2023 |
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Muriel nails it with John Calder of Dunnet evening talk
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= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = "Caithness Birds" by Castletown Primary School pupils on display Visitors to Castlehill Heritage Centre can admire pieces of art work done by pupils from Castletown Primary School in a special display entitled "Caithness Birds". Mrs Clarke from Dunnet has combined her joint interest in bird life and art to encourage the youngsters to depict some locally seen birds. Some examples are shown below - come along and see the rest! The local branch of Scottish Ornithological Club meets at Castlehill during winter months. Look out for their series of regular talks and filmshows. |
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Dateline: 07 November 2023 |
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Evening talk - John Calder of Dunnet
Perhaps of particular interest if your name is Calder! |
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= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Latest exhibition unveiled - The life and times of Castlehill House
Come along and discover information on the owners, guests, employees and their lifestyle; examine artefacts reflecting life over the years; and ponder reminiscences from those who recall the house and estate. There's a lot more to Castlehill House than meets the eye! |
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Dateline: 13 September 2023 |
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Cruise Ship Visitors
We were delighted recently to welcome some visitors from the cruise ship Hebridean Skye, who arrived at Castlehill in glorious sunshine, and were able to take full advantage of the glorious blooms in our Heritage Garden. |
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Dateline:20 August 2023 |
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Cream teas proving as popular as ever Of all our annual events, the cream teas served every Sunday in August always prove very popular - friends old and new meet up for a chat and to enjoy some good old fashioned home baked scones and cakes. This year has proved no exception, the weather so far being kind enough to enable seating outside in the heritage garden, which is proudly showing its late summer blooms. We are most grateful to Helen and her team of volunteers for organising these ever popular events.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Visitor strikes it lucky researching his family history
As he was staying in the village for a few days we were delighted to provide extended access to the archive to enable him to gather information on his family history. |
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Dateline: 30 July 2023 |
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Map conservation underway
As can be seen in the photograph to the left, sometimes old maps and charts become fragile and brittle and require painstaking care, repair and special storage. Mary, Jayne and Muriel are undertaking this slow business using the skills acquired at a two day hands-on workshop held at Castlehill last year. The workshop was led by Helen Creasy, paper conservator at the Scottish Conservation Studio in Hopetoun House, Edinburgh. |
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Dateline: 28 July 2023 |
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Give and Take As well as hosting exhibitions on local history and serving delicious August cream teas, Castletown Heritage Society is frequently involved in local research on behalf of visitors both real and virtual. Recently we have provided assistance through our vast archive of information on local people and places over many centuries. For example we have helped a university student towards a thesis on the use of hedging in Caithness, delved into the history of a croft house on Birklehill for its renovator, and produced information and memories of the former farm of Harland, Castletown for a descendant of the family brought up there in the 1800s.
On the other hand we have been given a large quantity of documents on one of Castlehill's schooners the "Barrogill Castle", researched by the great-grandson of its former crew-member and owner. This welcome resource has been added to our collection of stories on the days of sail from our once busy harbour. |
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Dateline: 05 July 2023 |
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Latest podcast - Lost in the Post When Muriel is handed a letter, handwritten by a Caithness businessman in early 1806, the upsetting contents prompt her to find out more. Her investigations reveal that the social consequences arising from the north mail robbery of 1805 stretched far beyond mere financial loss. To hear the episode CLICK HERE. Don't forget to visit our digital media page to explore our range of local heritage podcasts and videos. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Hayve Basket Making Workshop a resounding success!
During a well-attended public talk on the Saturday night Tim explained the research he had done on the technique, known as Neolithic braid used in the basket's construction, examples of which are found in diverse locations from Africa to Europe. Apart from a similar heather made basket in Orkney, no other example has been found in Britain. His investigations continue and he is anxious to appeal to any locals who may have seen such baskets, to get in touch with Castlehill Heritage Centre.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Blooming Lovely! Whilst wlaking through the heritage Garden at Castlehill Heritage Centre Muriel captured these images of some of the lovely blooms on display.
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Dateline: 18 June 2023 |
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Never a dull moment at Castlehill! One of the things we love at Castlehill Heritage Centre is hearing the stories of our visitors and sharing our knowledge of the village of Castletown and the Parish of Olrig. A core passion of our team is assisting visitors with information, if we can, to assist with their family history research.
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Feedback was very positive with the ERI team saying they thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Castlehill and gave many thanks for the informative information and the beautiful home baking which went down a treat! The volunteers were also thanked for all being such lovely hosts and looking after them. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = We were delighted last week to host a much awaited visit of members of Aberdeen Geological Society to Castlehill. In order to take a professional look at our recently acquired collection of fossils fish collected over a life-time by renowned local paleontologist Jack Saxon, three eminent members of AGS spent a full day at Castlehill. They helped us categorise elements of the collection and identify unrecorded specimens. They advised on storage and display of the specimens. With their wealth of expertise they suggested ways of interpreting the development of life on earth through the study of fossil fish.
Although there is still much to do before the collection is ready for public viewing, it promises to become a hugely important part of the offering of CHS and the North of Scotland. |
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Dateline: 2 June 2023 |
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1st Castletown Brownies and Rainbows help in the Heritage Garden 1st Castletown Rainbows and Brownies visited Castlehill Heritage Centre this week to help in our Heritage Garden. They spruced up their adopted 'pollinators' flowerbed and checked up on the status of the insect hotel they installed a couple of years ago. They all got stuck in with weeding the gravelled areas and watering the flowers. Well done girls!!
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Dateline: 18 May 2023 |
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Wick Befrienders visit Castlehill Today we were delighted to welcome a group from the Wick branch of the Befrienders organisation, who enjoyed exploring our 100 Years Not Out farming exhibition. The North Highland Woodturners Association assisted with the visit, laying on a hands-on demonstration of wood turning techniques, with each visitor making their own wood-turned keyring. Photos: Muriel Murray |
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Dateline: 14 May 2023 |
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Castletown Heritage Society AGM 2023 The Annual General Meeting of Castletown Heritage Society took place at Castlehill Heritage Centre on Wednesday 26 April 2023 at 7.30pm. Approximately thirty-five persons were in attandance. Following acceptance of the Chairman's Report presented by outgoing Chairman Wendy Newton, and the Annual Accounts by Hon Secretary Jayne Blackburn, Neil Buchan took the chair as Interim Chairman for the election of the following officers and members of the Management Committee:
If you would like to get involved with, or wish to find out more about the activities of Castletown Heritage Society, please contact us HERE. |
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Dateline: 7 May 2023 |
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Coronation Exhibition at Castlehill In support of the events taking place over 'Coronation Weekend' in Castletown (and indeed throughput the UK) to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, we staged a small display of coronation themed artefacts and memorabilia, examples of which are shown below.
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Dateline: 03 May 2023 |
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Rush Basket Making Course returns to Castlehill
The tuition fees are £50 per day so £150 for the full course. Payment in full must be made and cleared by 1st June. Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided throughout the day, however participants should bring their own lunch. The course will be limited to ten participants and places are already filling fast! If you wish to take part, and for further details, please contact us HERE. |
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Dateline: 7 April 2023 |
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The Art of Husbandry
Consisting of ten sections on every aspect of farming imaginable, from land types to pests and from farm buildings to stock varieties, it was written towards the end of the 1600s and was first published in 1705. The edition we were given was the fourth and appeared in 1716, illustrating the increasing interest in the systematic and scientific study of farming at the time. Here in Caithness early experiments in agriculture really began in the 1790s with innovators like Sir John Sinclair of Thurso East and James Traill of Castlehill.
The reason for the book having special significance today is that our current exhibition at Castlehill Heritage Centre features farming and crofting over the years. Alongside our display of old implements, artefacts and photographs we are hosting a wide selection of memorabilia loaned by members past and present of the Young Farmers Association. They are celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the movement which was started in Lanergill, Watten, Caithness by farmer John Robson of Lynegar.
The image on the left features Bower Young Farmer Jak Murray reading our copy of “The Art of Husbandry". |
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Dateline: 30 March 2023 |
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Clyne Heritage Society Celebrates 25 Years
If you would like to take part in any of the activities and help them celebrate simply drop them a line at info@clyneheritage.com or call on 01408 621338. Well done everyone! Here's to the next 25 years! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Castletown Heritage Society AGM
All Members, friends, supporters and interested parties from the Caithness community are welcome. The guest speaker will be Andrew Guttridge. |
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Dateline: 27 March 2023 |
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A Unique Pipe Banner is added to our Collections at Castlehill
There were three territorial battalions of the Seaforths - the 4th in Ross-shire, the 5th in Sutherland and Caithness, and the 6th in Morayshire. All Seaforth battalions, with one exception, wore MacKenzie tartan, the MacKenzie stag's head badge, and used the MacKenzie motto Cuidich 'n Righ 'Aid the King' - the Seaforths had originally been raised by Kenneth MacKenzie, Earl of Seaforth. The exception was the 5th. They wore the Sutherland 'cat-a-mountain' badge, the Sutherland tartan, and the Sutherland motto Sans Peur 'Without Fear'. This was because the Dukes of Sutherland had been closely associated with the battalion's volunteer predecessors and it was seen as appropriate to commemorate and continue the association. All three Seaforth territorial battalions served on the Western Front in WW1. Some territorial units were amalgamated as part of post-war reductions in the Territorial Force. These included the 4th and 5th, who were merged to form the 4/5th Seaforths.
George David Keith Murray - widely known as 'Rogie' - was born into a farming and merchant family in Castletown in 1898. In 1915 he enlisted in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and very quickly, just shy of 17 and a half, was commissioned in the Seaforth Highlanders. He was soon in France with the regiment's 8th Battalion. A week short of his twentieth birthday, the London Gazette announced him being awarded the Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid on the enemy trenches. When his party was held up by machine-gun fire he forced his way through the enemy's wire and bombed a machine gun. Finding that the rest of the party had been forced back, he rallied them and twice led them to the assault under heavy machine-gun fire. He displayed magnificent coolness and determination under most difficult circumstances.' His wartime service was also rewarded by the French. His 'resilience, valour and continuous good humour in the face of adversity in pursuit of the enemy' gained him the Legion D'Honneur, and his 'devotion to duty on the field of battle during military offensive' the Croix de Guerre with palms for gallantry. Rogie's son Keith still lives in Castletown and is particularly proud of the pipe banner which belonged to his father Brig Sir Keith Murray. He thanked Alan Bruce of CHS for his work on researching and displaying the item. |
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Dateline: 22 March 2023 |
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Forss Young Farmers at Castlehill
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Dateline: 19 March 2023 |
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Latest Podcast - A Load of Old Rope
To hear the episode, click HERE = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Castletown Heritage Society AGMThe Annual General Meeting of Castletown Heritage Society will be held at Castlehill Heritage Centre on Wednesday 26 April 2023 at 7.30pm. All Members, friends, supporters and interested parties from the Caithness community are welcome. The guest speaker will be Andrew Guttridge. |
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Dateline: 08 March 2023 |
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Weekend visitors meet Bronco the horse!
The Bronco horse was made by D. Sebel & Co. Ltd who were based in Kent and who made a range of Mobo branded toys. Our 'Bronco' horse was one of the most popular of their creations and can be ridden and moved by pushing down on pedals which in turn moved the horse’s legs backwards and forwards - surprisingly realistic! Broncos were available in several different colours including dapples (like ours), brown and black. It might be over 70 years old but it can still bring a smile to the face of a young rider! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A stitch in time saves a precious donation
When we received the jacket it was a little worse for wear with some of the stitched seams coming apart, especially where the hood attached to the jacket. We have just received the jacket back from having the seams lightly restored and it now looks quite resplendent and ready for action! The jacket will form part of our plans to expand our WWII display area - watch this space for further details! = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Evening talk - Helen Moore - Landscapes
Helen will discuss the impact that the Caithness landscape has had on her work and how this has changed her work over the last 10 years. Helen takes the striking landscape of Caithness as her starting point, addressing themes of how rural space is used in the modern day, and the impact that humans make in the environment. |
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Dateline: 05 March 2023 |
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New exhibition opens today - Mucking in for 100 Years!
The exhibition is being run in conjunction with the Caithness District Young Farmers Association which is celebrating its centenary this year. The exhibition is open from 2pm to 4pm every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. |
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Dateline: 28 February 2023 |
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Jane Coll reveals the Northern Saints Trail
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Dateline: 25 February 2023 |
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Olrig Observations - Latest podcast - Lady Janet's Elusive Daughter
The story starts with the donation of a heavy circular brass plaque to Castletown Heritage Society..... To listen to the podcast CLICK HERE or visit the Podcasts and YouTube tab above = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Harbourmaster William Baikie
To view the video CLICK HERE or visit the Podcasts and YouTube tab above |
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Dateline: 23 January 2023 |
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Visitors call the tunes at Castlehill
In amongst the well used but cared for sheets was a real gem of a find - a copy of "The Wick Song" with words by Ian McHardy and music by Alex M Small. The lyrics wistfully recall Bridge Street in Wick, Papigoe, Staxigoe and the Grey Bools - a local geological feature comprising cliff-top storm deposits of large Caithness flagstone boulders near Oldwick Castle. The music proved a real hit with two of our visitors that day - who happened to be from Wick! Now all we need is a piano, a pianist and a singer... any volunteers?
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Dateline: 03 January 2023 |
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Can you help identify this mystery object? Happy New Year everyone!
One of our local friends of Castletown Heritage Society has just brought along this small object found in an old cottage in Murkle, near Castletown. Click on the images to see a larger version. It has caused a bit of head scratching - can you help identify it or suggest a use? Domestic? Some form of handicraft? Fishing? If you have any ideas or suggestions as to what it is or is used for, please do get in touch! Contact Us |