The
top photograph was taken in Papa Stronsay in the 1933 and is part
of a collection very kindly lent to us by Mrs Nan Scott of Kirkwall.
Her husband, Jack Scott, passed away in September 2002, shortly
after his wife had organised a Papa Stronsay evening in Kirkwall.
At that meeting a photograph was taken of all those present who
had been born on Papa Stronsay, including Mr Scott. He had a very
great love for his island birthplace. May he rest in peace.
To the extreme left, you see the old schoolhouse. Next to the right
are the living accommodation for all the women that participated
in the gutting of the fish. In front are four landing stages, which
belonged to four different companies: Donaldson’s, Joe Slater’s,
Jenkins’, later Bremlow’s and Sinclair & Buchan’s.
From these four landing stages, the barrels of salted herring were
sent off in ships to different parts of Europe. Back and to the
right, you see the Big House with another house (no longer standing)
directly in front of it. Further to the right is McIver’s,
another company. Lower in the picture is the Papay pier. And to
the extreme right you see the old kitchen.
The lower photograph shows Papa Stronsay as it is today. Starting
at the left, you see the 24 new cells, most of which are now completed.
Further back you see the old Big House, renamed St Michael’s
House, with the attached outbuildings that now serve as kitchen,
refectory, and tool shed. To the right is the boat house - just
as it was in the 1930’s. And McIver’s has been changed
into the Holy Face Building, which includes the chapel to the extreme
right. And in front is the Papay pier, the port of disembarkation
for passengers from Stronsay.
