It was a fine life
Recorded 4 years ago
About this recording
Although born at her Granny's House at Ramscraigs, Dunbeath, Elret was brought up in Altnabreac, where her father was a shepherd. She remembers the occupants of various houses in the scattered community, including Admiral Sir William James at Thulachan. As a child, James sat as a subject for several paintings by his grandfather, Millais. The most well-known of these is 'Bubbles' in which the five-year-old William is shown gazing at a bubble he has just blown. Elret explains that his painting was used in an advertisement for Pears soap.
"It was a fine life,” recalls Elret as she explains that they always had plenty to eat even if the rabbits, hares, venison and grouse had been poached. She also recalls the occasion when her father was carrying a deer across his shoulders as he emerged from the hill and encountered Robin Sinclair, Lord Thurso.
Along with her brother and sister, Elret attended Backlass Side School, Westerdale, and recalls the benefit of one-to-one tuition from schoolteacher Miss Steven. Despite the reservations about side schools expressed by Mr McHardy, Director of Education for Caithness, Elret's sister became Dux of Lybster School when she went there to complete her secondary education.
Elret became a housemaid and table maid at Dalnawillan Lodge, owned by Sir Archibald Sinclair and later his son Robin Sinclair, Lord Thurso. She recalls that they were "good bosses” who cared for the welfare of their staff. She vividly recalls the occasion Sir Archibald Sinclair discovered that she had gone home for an overnight stay without asking for permission. Although she got a stern reprimand, she acknowledged that he was concerned about her safety.
During Operation Snowdrop in 1955, Altnabreac was snowbound. Elret was in the latter stages of pregnancy and was told that she had to be airlifted by helicopter to the Dunbar Hospital in Thurso. Local men, including her father and husband, tramped the snow and scattered ashes on top to form the letter H to indicate the spot where the helicopter should land. Elret duly arrived at the hospital to find it was closed so lodged with her cousin until the birth of her son one week later.
During this interview, Elret talks about her husband Tommy and their family. She explains how they eventually moved from Altnabreac to Helmsdale.
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Noss Primary School
