Murchison Street was full of kids
Recorded 7 years ago
About this recording
Robert Sutherland shares some memories of growing up in Murchison Street, Wick. He explains how he was always “the bairn” of a large family and how his grandmother, a herring packer, was known as Labour Liz because of her political activism. Robert recalls receiving a cowboy outfit – complete with guns – from his much older brothers, who were both servicemen, and reminisces about going to the Breadalbane Cinema as a youngster.
He reflects on his early days at school, including the move to the new Pulteneytown Academy from what is now the Assembly Rooms. On the day the new school opened, the pupils walked there together hand in hand.
Robert recalls milk deliveries being made by horse and cart, and how he would be sent by his mother up to Martin’s park for a neep. Fish was plentiful, and at New Year his father would make big pots of herring and tatties to be shared by family and friends.
Robert spent 31 years in the police force and has lived in Thurso for over 25 years. He says: “I am and always will be a Weeker, although I live in Thurso… I belong to Poltney.”
Robert is the author of Cop o’ the North: Robbie the Bobbie, a collection of some of his experiences of serving in the police force in the Highlands and Islands. The book is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cop-North-Mr-Robert-Sutherland/dp/1508971781
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