Cromarty Archive

Nigg Workers coming off the Ferry - 1974

Nigg Workers coming off the Ferry - 1974

Date Added: 03 December 2004 Contributor: Catriona Gillies Year: 1974 Picture No: 960

Albums: Oil Industry

Groups: Article in Press & Journal - 20 July 1974

23 Comments

Would this be the Souters Lass ex Bournemouth Belle. I know Fred Newton had a renaming ceremony circa 1974. Why did he call it Souters and not Sutors? This vessel is now operating out of Fort William.
Would anyone know the date of the renaming? Has anyone got pictures of Souters Lass at Cromarty?
This vessel was sold in 1976 to Thomas and Bews John O' Groats and was superceded at Cromarty by Coral Star III ex Poole Belle Would anyone have dates and pictures? Did this vessel remain on this route until the purchase of Cromarty Rose in 1986?
Comment left on 30 June 2006 at 10:11 by Alan Gilston
I recognise my Uncle Neil Macarthur to the back and right of the picture. To Alan Coral Star III ended her time on the Nigg run about 84 or 85 as that was when Seaboard Marine Nigg Ltd took over the run with a variety of boats called "Veraspere" "John L" "New Rosalind" "Islander" and various others. Cromarty Rose didn't arrive until 1987 and is still running today. The vessel in this picture is neither Souters Lass or Coral Star III and I can't for the life of me remember what one she is but I'll let you know when it comes to me. Comment left on 01 July 2006 at 22:13 by Ronald Young
I don't know whether this is the one or not, but I remember that one of the first ferries was called 'the Reaper'. There was a HiFab football league formed, and one team was made up of workers who travelled on the ferry. The team was called the Reapers after the ferry - they played all in green at Cromarty. (Cromarty FC was suspended for the duration). I remember them winning the league, and also a cup competition at Victoria Park, Dingwall. Comment left on 01 July 2006 at 23:10 by Garve
To Ronald and Garve many thanks for the info. Do you happen to know who ran Coral Star after the death of Fred Newton in 76? Comment left on 02 July 2006 at 17:00 by Alan Gilston
Alan, Fred's son Morris ran Coral Star III after his death and I think the rest of Newton's fleet of buses. Most of the worthies I spoke to today say this is the Reaper but I will ask the old skipper tomorrow and find out. Comment left on 02 July 2006 at 22:46 by Ronald Young
Thanks Ronald
Does anyone have a date for the naming ceremony of Souters Lass which arrived called Weymouth Belle.
Comment left on 03 July 2006 at 22:24 by Alan Gilston
Alan I spoke to Billy Watson this evening, he was a Skipper with Newtons. He says he can't remember any naming ceromony at all for Souters Lass. The Vessel in this picture is actually Queen Of Scots and not Reaper as previously thought. The old rails on the beach beside the slaughter house were put there for this boat to be re-engined. Comment left on 05 July 2006 at 22:38 by Ronald Young
Thanks again Ronald. There was a Queen of Scots operated by Sir Robert McAlpine taking workers from /to Ardyne between 74-82 so I take it this is the same vessel. this vessel was originally Coronia from Scarborough and ended up in Rochester as Rochester Queen. Thanks again Comment left on 06 July 2006 at 21:42 by Alan Gilston
Alan this Queen of Scots came from Mallaig to Cromarty and when she left here she went to Ullapool to a guy known as Desperate Dan. Comment left on 07 July 2006 at 12:50 by Ronald Young
Thanks Ronald The Queen of Scots of McAlpines was built in 1935 and was a Despatch vessel at D day beaches. Sounds like a different vessel. I will try and post my photo of Souters Lass taken when she had just arrived on the Cromarty Firth and still called Weymouth Belle just before her renaming ceremony Comment left on 07 July 2006 at 20:19 by Alan Gilston
That would be great Alan. Ive been asking around to see if anyone else has any pictures of her or Coral Star III but no joy yet but i, ll keep asking. There is a picture of Coral Star III on this site picture number 53 i think. Comment left on 07 July 2006 at 23:31 by Ronald Young
the man stepping of the boat with a square on his hard hat is Willie Gardener from Munlochy, squares on hats denoted Foremen and Triangles, General Foremen. Comment left on 15 July 2006 at 10:05 by Sue
wrong sue think again its not willie gardner Comment left on 15 July 2006 at 15:58 by Anon 15/07/06
Agreed about Willie Gardner ... it's NOT him ... he was a (sub-arc) Welding Foreman and would therefore have had a green helmet (like the the darker coloured helmets worn by a couple of the other guys) ... Comment left on 16 December 2008 at 20:01 by J. Derek Riddell
Could anyone tell me where I could find a photo of the late Fred Newton or his son Morris Newton. Comment left on 26 February 2009 at 20:49 by Michael Mackay
Try Ross County archives. He played for them and they should have a photo of him as he played in goals - he also played for Blackpool in goals in the fiftys/sixtys. Comment left on 28 February 2009 at 19:14 by Davey Joans
Who's the guy with the white hat on at the front? They say he still lives in Cromarty. Comment left on 07 March 2009 at 20:17 by Anon
I have read here that Morris Newton ran Coral Star III after Fred Newton's death but who ran it after the death of Morris? Couldn't find picture of Fred Newton on Ross County archives unfortunately but thanks anyway. Comment left on 20 March 2009 at 22:59 by Michael
Michael. Coral Star III left Cromarty in 1985 for Arbroath and that was the end of Newtons running the workforce to Cromarty by bus and to Nigg by boat. I imagine this was the time when Wimpey took over the majority share holdings of Highland fabricators and its them that would have stopped the transport subsidy for the workforce. Comment left on 22 March 2009 at 19:02 by Ronald Young
In this weeks Ross-shire Journal photo of Ross County includes Fred Newton, who was playing in goal. Year 1950 they won the Highland cup beating Buckie Thistle 4-1. Comment left on 11 November 2011 at 21:21 by Daley Jones
Can anyone recall the wooden passenger ferry taken to Invergordon and burnt on the beach below where the Port Authority office now stands? ( Imagine that happening today haha). The name 'Petersham' is in my mind, can anyone confirm please? Comment left on 24 November 2012 at 22:54 by Ron Stewart
Noddy Dunn would need a zoom lense to capture that fire event. Comment left on 27 November 2012 at 13:35 by Davy Jones
You offering to buy me one? Have you a time machine too, and I'll be happy to oblige. Comment left on 29 November 2012 at 17:01 by 'Noddy' Dunn
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