Here’s a few words about how the Campbell family arrived at Torness during WW2 – and the life they lived.
This memories of life in Torness from the early nineteen forties by Margaret Donald nee Campbell. Margaret worked in education as a teacher and lecturer, then in the late seventies branched into broadcasting in radio with the BBC . In 1980 she joined Grampian Television in Aberdeen as a continuity announcer and newsreader.
Our father, Murdo Campbell, had been working on the Applecross estate of Captain Wills of Wills cigarettes when WW2 broke out. The beautiful house (Hartfield), which came with his job, was taken over by the government, along with much of the estate. There were 10 children (6 boys and 4 girls) in our family and one on the way. Our beloved mother had to move to the Pier House while Dad went off to search for a new home for us all. One can only imagine the stress involved, including his being set back by an infectious disease and admission to hospital for what I think was 11 weeks. There’s a dramatic story in there which I am not able to report. I was only 3 at the time.
He had found Torness and miraculously transported us all there where three more boys were born. What he achieved there is amazing. Not only did he take over the post office, he also set up an accredited poultry station and harnessed the River Farigaig to set up his own electricity supply. I grew up believing that everyone had a water wheel! Needless to say we all had duties of different kinds – domestic and outdoor as required. We had a horse called Nellie who did heavy work and also took several of us at a time on rides. There is a picture somewhere. We also had a cow (called Daisy) who suppled all our dairy needs. We made our own butter and I have memories of the churn and the butter pats. We also had an incredible vegetable and fruit garden.
The selection of poultry breeds was the main focus. There were Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, Wyandottes – and that’s all I can remember. Hatching eggs (all fertile!) were sold as well as day old chicks. This kept the wolf from the door.
We all did our primary education in Bunchrubin School under the professional care of an outstanding teacher, Margaret Johnstone, who was married to the then local postie, William Johnstone. We adored them both, and I can remember sitting on his knee in the little office when he came back from his long delivery on foot around local farms. Margaret’s teaching ( and her kindness ) was exemplary and she had to deal with as many as five Campbells at a time – along with the challenges of WW2. Lunch was warm dried milk and white bread with margarine. I was ofter charged with preparing it and remember it well. Good Christian ethics were embedded with prayers and a hymn every morning. We learned to read a short piece from the bible at an early age
Of course when we got home there was a selection of baked treats on the kitchen table – oatcakes, pancakes, queen cakes – all of which would disappear at speed every day. Our mother was a brilliant baker.
She had to be. Dad also set up a petrol pump that took care of local needs and did the school run for what probably was Errogie. Not sure about that but I remember him setting off in all weathers. On that subject there was a dreadful flood on a date that I don’t have – and the local press had a picture of Mum being carried out by firemen. The water never made it into the house which was so cleverly placed – presumably for this reason.
The post office was run by Dad and Mum and any of us who might be around when required. It was handed over when Dad needed to be nearer to town for his work as a Highland County Councillor. I apologise for not having dates for this story – but hope it gives readers an insight to life in a magical place south of Inverness many years ago. One day I plan to write a memoir and promise to have researched date detail before I begin.
For a story on the Campbells as it appeared in a Peoples Journal report in 1953 click here
Chris and Murdo and their fourteen children c 1947
The fourteen Campbell children c 1947
Photograph courtesy of Ray Campbell
Picture of flood at the Torness Post office
Murdo , Chris along with Chris's mother Margaret
Photograph courtesy of Ray Campbell
The Campbell Family c1953 that featured in the Peoples Journal article that is in the PDF above
Chris and Murdo outside Torness Post office
Photograph courtesy of Ray Campbell
Arial View of Torness
Photograph courtesy of Margaret Donald
Marcus and daughter Christine along side petrol pump at Torness
Photograph courtesy of Ray Campbell
Chris & Murdo Campbell and Chris Davidson. Chris and Murdo stayed at the Post Office Torness where Chris was the postmistress , Murdo was the local councillor for the area . Chris Davidson stayed at Wood Cottage, Errogie. and was the local postie .
Photograph courtesy of Rose Fortune
Chris and Murdo celebrate their diamond wedding in 1984
The fourteen Campbell outside their parents retiral home The Birches, Dores Road, Inverness .
Photograph courtesy of Margaret Donald