Aberfeldy Museum

10 hours ago

Many thanks indeed to Ursula A Kelly for sending us (free of charge) a copy of her recently published book "The Foresters' Scribe: Remembering the Newfoundland Forestry Companies through the First World War letters of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant John A Barrett.'

Ursula is John Lewis Paton Distinguished University Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada. This really is a brilliant work and covers a long neglected subject, that of the Newfoundland Forestry Companies, and their vital role in the Great War effort; it is full of photographs and information covering their time at Craigvinean, Dunkeld, and Drummond Hill, Kenmore.

The First Draft of the Newfoundland Forestry Corps' began to arrive at Dunkeld in June 1917. By January, 1918, most of Craivinean Forest had been felled, and in April of that year a move was made to Drummond Hill, Kenmore, where felling went on up to the Armistice and beyond; the Companies finally leaving the area to return to Newfoundland from Aberfeldy Station in February, 1919. Attached is a link to Ursula A Kelly's book. I can highly recommend this book; it is an excellent and long-overdue addition to this forgotten aspect of our local history."

Many thanks also to the Dunkeld Community Archive for all the photographs of the Newfoundland Forestry Companies at Dunkeld. They show men of the Forestry Companies in uniform and at work. The last photograph is of the mill at Inver. This excellent local archive also boasts a large and unique collection of documents and photographs relating to the Scottish Horse Regiment. They receive no funding and are run entirely by volunteers and rely on donations and research fees for their sole sources of income. To make a donation, or pay for research fees, please go to the attached link to their webpage and use the "donate" button at the bottom of the homepage. Or contact using details below. (Mike)

Dunkeld Community Archive
12 The Cross
Dunkeld
PH8 0AN
01350727786

www.hss.mun.ca/iserbooks/publications/show_for_title?id=131

www.historicdunkeld.org.uk/ ... See MoreSee Less

Aberfeldy Museum

2 days ago

Seagulls photobombing a picture of Aberfeldy Railway Station. An interesting view up the hill too. ... See MoreSee Less

Aberfeldy Museum

2 days ago

Continuing the Kenmore curling theme, a photograph from the Kenmore Curling Club Facebook page. This curling pond down in the Castle grounds, link attached to NLS map.

The poem is from the Sunday Post Sunday the 1st of February, 1948. (Mike)

The First Curling Match

On many a rink you'll hear the clink,
Of curling stones today.
Now read below and you will know,
How folks began to play.

Big Jock McKay of the cockle eye,
Was a robber fierce, and so,
Both far and near was held in fear,
In Scotland long ago.

One winter's day to their dismay,
The people of Kenmore,
Were picked by Jock to raise the stock,
Of plunder in his store.

So into Jock's collection box,
Which at his saddle hung,
Each Kenmore-ite, ashake with fright,
His whole life savings flung.

Though one small boy, whose name was Roy,
'This had gone far enough'
And to Jock's steed he slyly gi'ed,
A little pinch o' snuff.

The big horse sneezed, then off it breezed,
And Jock was still aboard.
It was some race. The folks gave chase,
For Jock had dropped his sword.

Jock gained. But och, the frozen loch,
Brought his escape to nought.
Halfway across he took a toss
Went under like a shot.

Jock had no luck, for he was stuck,
You should have heard him shout.
His armour's weight had sealed his fate,
He couldn't clamber out.

Then from the shore the folks galore,
Skimmed stones at Jock's bald crown.
The fun was great and since that date,
You can't keep curling down.

maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/?fbclid=IwAR2Ib0ln6qPpv76PCXH6VYMj1bn3ip7FgCkhFVe8EoCk9pX2C8b87AKzSqg#zoo... ... See MoreSee Less

Aberfeldy Museum

3 days ago

From August 1942 (Dundee Courier) ... See MoreSee Less

Aberfeldy Museum

3 days ago

Keeping with the curling theme, these are stills from a film of curling on a frozen Loch Tay at Kenmore, in 1940 This footage was shot by Mr John George Douglas (inventor), of Dirgarve, Aberfeldy, one of a few who could afford a cine camera at this time. We are very grateful to Joyce Cameron and her family for keeping these safe for many years, and for donating them to Aberfeldy Museum. Technology is such that it is now possible to digitize 8mm film and Aberfeldy Museum now own one of these machines. Tommy Pringle has been busy going through these and digitizing them, and in the near future, we will be making these available to view, probably on YouTube. The Dirgarve collection is really quite substantial with everything from curling on Loch Tay, and Edradynate, to Breadalbane Highland Games 1940-50? (in colour); Aberfeldy Cricket team playing in Victoria Park, and much more. If you have any 8mm film of events from any era and any local area that you would like to have digitized, and share on our Facebook page, then please get in touch. (Mike) ... See MoreSee Less