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::HALKIRK HERITAGE CENTRE

Contents:- Documents - Intro - Season 2007 - 2006

Documentation - ALL links below are PDF files

Introduction

The Heritage Centre has just completed another successful season but look below to view just some of the interesting information available:-.

  • Halkirk Highland Games:-
  • Halkirk Ancient Monuments:-
  • Halkirk Whisky:-
  • Halkirk Village:-
    • Some photos and description of Olde Halkirk - click here.
  • Halkirk Vintage Vehicles:-

Season 2007

One of the Star attractions this season was the very rare vintage motorcycle provided by John Bremner.  See below for pictures and report.

Motorcycle:- A 1917 New Imperial Model 7 - one of only five known to exist and produced for the Imperial Russian Army.

Report/Bike History:-

The bike was bought brand new by Mr Andrew Swanson of Watten Mains, Thurso East farm and latterly, Ormlie Road, Thurso.

Mr Swanson was a soldier during World War 1 and endured a spell in hospital in Coventry, which subsequently led to his 'demob' from the service, upon which he bought the bike in Coventry for his long journey home to Caithness. The journey must've been as much as an ordeal as his military service considering the distance covered and the state of the roads in those days.

Once at home he used the motorcycle daily which was then fitted with a sidecar until cars were more fashionable and the bike was then laid up in the store of his contracting business at Brownhill Road, Thurso.

The bike lay there, forgotten about for many years until demands of the business dictated that the bike and all the clutter it was buried under be removed to make more profitable use of the floor space.

Fred Bremner, then an employee of 'Weirs of Castletown' chanced upon talking to an employee of Mr Swanson, who was engaged in the task of clearing the store building whilst he was at the council run 'wash bed', which was adjacent to the store building at Brownhill. The man informed Fred that the machine was headed for the 'scrap man' and if he wanted it he should take it now for free, if he knew someone who would want it.....

Fred's father, Sandy Bremner of Roadside Post Office, Georgemas (better known as Sandy Norton) was well known across the North for his interest in old bikes and would provide the home it deserved.

Fred would not take it for free and went to see Mr Swanson at his home in Ormlie Road, who also refused payment but after much 'bartering' and 'jesting', told Fred to turn out the contents of his pockets, which produced the grand sum of 'two bob' and a deal was struck.

The bike was then passed onto his brother, John A Bremner, West End, Castletown (picture below) - who after many hours of hard work and patience returned the machine to its former glory during the 1970's - thus saving a rare machine from destruction, which has definitely produced a colourful past.

report provided by John Bremner

Some of the Vintage Motor Vehicles available to view at the opening ceremony.

JGC Engineering kindly provided New Stands for the information to be promoted in it's best way.

Opening Season 2006

E:Mail - Contact Us
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Halkirk Heritage & Vintage Motor Society
A project looking back at Halkirk's History.
Halkirk School Reunion
Hundreds of ex-Halkirk pupils returned to the scene of their crimes..??
Halkirk Gala Week
This annual event always manages to get the community together.
Halkirk Highland Games
The premiere sporting event in the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
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