OLD school friends who had not met since 1936 were brought together at the opening of an exhibition at the Castlehill Heritage Centre.

Entitled Brough Then and Now, the exhibition’s first day attracted over 150 people with Brough connections to see photographs, stories and artefacts, old and new, of people from the area as far back as the 1860s.

However, the event on Sunday, May 1, at the Castletown centre was particularly memorable for old school friends Danny Begg and Andy Moir.

Danny and his son, David, came north from Penicuik for the exhibition and it was there Danny was reunited with Andy, whom he had not seen for over 60 years.

Local residents and those with Brough connections were very generous in supplying material and the opening brought many more old school friends into contact.

One of the most iconic pictures on display shows Brough Harbour around 1945. In it Billy Calder is standing on the shore, his brother, Clair, is standing on the front boat and Danny Begg is standing on the back boat. The catch of cod is laid out on the pier.

Also in the boats are fishermen from Stroma, one of whom was known as Crooked Jock, as he only had one leg.

Billy and Danny were both at the exhibition opening.

One of the stories which can be read describes Danny Begg finding a message in a bottle at Brough harbour which led to him having a police escort to an inquest in Lerwick. Another is about “the Wolf in Brough”.

The exhibition was opened by former MP Robert Maclennan, now Lord Maclennan of Rogart, who commented on how the exhibition had brought the community together .

Michael O’Donnell, chairman of Brough Bay Association, said that the opening had been a tremendous success and reunited old friends who recalled memories and swapped many stories.

He said: “The community spirit behind the project has been tremendous.

“We also greatly appreciated the assistance provided by Johnson Control and Wick Heritage Centre in the production of the larger pictures.

“Some of the pictures are from the Johnston Collection and show in great detail the harbour and village.”

He added: “Many pictures and stories from the exhibition are published in a beautiful book which is available to order at the exhibition or from the Brough Bay Association.”

The exhibition, which is part of the Brough harbour conservation project, is taken from the history archive which will be housed digitally at the Castlehill Heritage Centre and be available to view during its regular opening hours.

The Brough Bay Association history archive is an ongoing process and members are always looking for more photographs, stories and artefacts.

The harbour conservation project was funded by LEADER, Heritage Lottery Fund, the Highland Council, Historic Scotland and Dounreay Communities Fund.

The exhibition will run until May 25 at the heritage centre which is open from 2pm until 4pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

© Michael O’Donnell

Source: Joanne B Kaar