Echoes of the Past

A derelict house that sits silent

The first time we set foot on Hoy & in Orkney was the day we completed on our little crofters cottage. We’d only seen the house & the backdrop in photos we had no real idea of what to expect.

It’s fair to say we were both delighted. Mid-August, the day was long, sun was shining, with not a sniff of wind and the house was bigger than we expected - winner. As I’ve said before, we only stayed for the weekend. Our aim was to drop a van load of stuff and get acquainted with our new home before we moved in ‘proper’ the following month.

One of the things that stood out for me at first was the signs of the past. At first I wasn’t sure how I would get on with it, that perfect view from the photos wasn’t quite as perfect as I imagined.

Garden view

Photos can be deceiving.

While close up they seem to be able to capture every grey hair, wrinkle and lump and bump on the body, when you take a snap of the landscape you can easily miss the buildings in disrepair and metal graveyards.

Luckily, as it turns out, I’ve come to love this part of the landscape, it’s tells a story, not only of the history of Hoy, but also it’s present. I think farmers are natural make do and menders and when you live on an island that becomes more necessary. You never do know when you might be able to make use of that crank shaft or need a part for a car that is no longer in production. Plus the logistics, just how do you get rid of large amounts of waste?

I’ve been told that during covid the council came to Hoy to collect some of the scrapped cars but they don’t do that anymore and I have no idea what will happen when our little fiesta finally gives up the ghost (not yet please). I’m also concerned about how we’ll get rid of what will probably be the entire inside of our cottage when we get started on the renovation project. I suspect a lot of it will be have to be burnt.

And let’s get real here. Life is not all drystone walls and standing stones. Of course there is modernisation.

So after a few initial concerns I have come to love the remnants of the past, whatever their condition. They tell a story.

One such place piques my interest more than the others. A derelict house that sits silent.

It doesn’t stand because that would imply the walls and roof are where they should be. They are not. This doesn’t look like other houses, in need of extensive repair. This seems to have simply, fallen down.

Chimney stacks and a piano

Despite its lack of exterior, inside the remnants of life remain. Two chimney breasts, a rusted bike frame, a piano(forte?), a fully upright bathroom with sink, bath and loo and even a small table that until recent storms held a solitary bowl. Head round the back and you’ll find a chair, another bath and what looks like a washing machine.

It's a curious snapshot of abandonment, one I’ve taken eleventy billion photos of, but the reason behind its desolation I can’t quite tell. It seems to be a wooden house. Did the elements get it? Was there a fire in part of it? Or did the family just get up and go?

Fancy a bath?

One day I may be brave enough to ask someone but until then, I’ll let my imagination run wild. Maybe that’s where I’ll put one of the characters of the book I’m planning to write…

There is so much more to say on this, for one Lyness was the Naval Base for both World Wars and the area is scattered with memories of that time.

After the Second World War, rumours are that landowners were given two options. Either the government would return the land to how it was and remove the buildings, or they would give them a sum of money to enable them to do the same, if they chose to do so. As you can imagine, many went with the second option. With rationing and two World Wars behind them, is it any wonder?

And I for one am glad, my favourite of the WWII buildings that I see on my dog walks is the building that was essentially a flight simulator, allegedly the first of its kind. Maybe one day it’ll be returned to its former glory.

My plan is to immerse myself more with the rich history of Hoy and Orkney, with a level of whimsy that comes with it. From the Mesolithic period to now, although Neolithic Orkney is currently my period of choice. Expect more on this, I have books!