Dec 182009
Abandoned house, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland.
I wonder what stories these old walls could tell. Once it was probably the center of a large farm. Times changed and the old ways lost their charm. The young generation left home for the glamour of the city. No one wanted to live on the edge of the world anymore. The house sat alone, empty. The paint faded. The roof caved.
11 Responses to “South Ronaldsay, Orkney”
Comments (11)
Beautiful Cody!!
I can feel the quiet. wonderful
Hi Cody,
Am wondering where this derelict house is. My ancestor, William McBeath and others lived at “Burwick” – houses #35 $ in 1821 Census 1836. Photographer Ian Balcombe said the house is still there but deserted and derelict. It’s just up from where the John o’ Groats ferry comes in on the A 961. Could it be this one?
The ancestor, William McBeath went to South Australia in 1836/7 – where I now live.
Cheers,
Wendy Loneragan
My grandmother came from Burwick farm which the Allan family had for most 19th century till about 1928/8 when John Allan died age only 42. His initials can still be seen carved in the plaster of the living room c 1905. I have photos of the Allan family outside the farm & my uncles spent time there in the 1920s. Their initials are carved in the stone step of the Byre. John Allan was drowned age 19 years in the famous wreck of the Dunbar which hit the Heads Sydney in 1857…only 1 survivor.
The building was gutted by fire in the 70s.
Cody-your photography is superb-and very touching when it is of ancester’s homeland in Orkney. Linda Hardie, my 3rd cousin so many times removed,passed on the family information. I too was a Hardie by birth. Being an only child and my father having no sisters I thought I was the last of the Hardies in our line.My father sadly died far too young for me to have asked all the questions I had when I began seeking my Familys History.Always I remembered him telling me of his favourite’Wee Aunty of the Isles’-of his mother Isabella McBeath Hood being so proud she was descended from King McBeth-of his Aunt Net married to Bertie Camplin-Smith[who was Stage Manager of the Garrick Theatre in Londons West End]-and of joining his parents in London[where they had moved to from Edinburgh]when he was about 9.He travelled in the care of the guard of the train. As all family hearsay some is true-but I have not expected to find royal forebears.Searching is an absolute delight of realities ,newly discovered relatives-and some frustrations and disappointments. I can now imagine Mary McBeath[ms Leask] living in a snug house on Orkney ,then complete,shown on your photo as it is nowadays. Thank you so very much.What is your link? Regards Rosemary.
hi peter semple, my grandfather(andrew thomson) bought burwick in 1928 from the Allans. my father and mother (who was andrew thomsons daughter) worked it til 1969 when my father died. i have tried everywhere to get a photo of burwick when it was a working farm and wander if i could have a copy of your photos.i was born in the farmhouse and lived there til i was 19.
my grandad,Andrew Thomson bought burwick in 1928 from the Allans. He moved from Newark on the island of Sanday in Orkney when my mother, Thomasina Thomson was 13. She married John Bruce and they took over the farm in , i think about 1947. I was born in the upstair bedroom to the right of the main door and burwick was my home until 1969 when my father died only 58. Can anyone give me a photo of burwick as a working farm.
Jean,
Pleased to forward photos of Burwick before 1928 but I need your email?
Hi Wendy, Trying to contact you on behalf of all of us who form FH 2/62 – Just about history now-it’s 50yrs since we started our training & we’re gonna CELEBRATE! Ros says she found you with Google but this is the closest I’ve got. Hope it’s successful. Do ypu have an email address? Hope to hear from you. Maureen (Maunsell)
I am interested in contacting Wendy Loneragan as my father’s mother was Violet Victoria McBeath who was born at Lallawa Station in South Australia. Married Alfred Joseph Blackwell at St John’s Church, Meningie, South Australia in June 1900. I think Wendy might have done research on the McBeath
s; my grandmother’s father’s name was William McBeath.
I live in Adelaide and would appreciate hearing from Wendy via email or telephone 8 278 6556.
I would like to see if we are both from the same McBeath family?
All good wishes,
Vicki Langmaid (nee Blackwell)
I’ve taken similar pictures in these buildings – they are in a fairly picturesque state of dilapidation. Is there anything anyone wants to know about how things are today? I’ll be leaving Orkney in April 2012