| PS5M5 | X | f | (No name, age unknown, historian, Interviewing) unspecified |
| K6SPS000 | X | u | (No name, age unknown) unspecified |
| K6SPS001 | X | u | (No name, age unknown) unspecified |
| K6SPSUNK (respondent W0000) | X | u | (Unknown speaker, age unknown) other |
| K6SPSUGP (respondent W000M) | X | u | (Group of unknown speakers, age unknown) other |
| (PS5M5) |
[1] Oh! [2] Just see if it's speaking to me. [3] Sometimes it just won't work. [4] [...] that nearly works and [...] stick that under there. [5] Hear it? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[6] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) | [laugh] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[7] We hear it. [8] We're saying nothing. |
| (PS5M5) |
[9] [laughing] [...] [] Now you just have to tell me about that that peedie er shop again Vera. [laugh] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[10] [...] I don't know that it was actually a shop |
| (PS5M5) |
[11] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[12] but I think it would in fact you'd maybe find records of it in some of the old Orkney boats. |
| (PS5M5) |
[13] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[14] I'm sure that's where he got it [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[15] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[16] And er it's it was just a I think a sort of supply of stuff was kept at certain houses. |
| (PS5M5) |
[17] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[18] So that folk maybe in the sort of parish didn't have to walk into the village to get it. |
| (PS5M5) |
[19] To get it. [20] Well |
| (K6SPS000) |
[21] And it well they certainly [...] seemed to be to do with it at the burying like the the linen |
| (PS5M5) |
[22] Yeah? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[23] and then the bows for the [laugh] |
| (PS5M5) |
[24] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[25] I suppose it would be when they well when they dressed [...] that was the night they had a big celebration wasn't it. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[26] Aye that would be it. |
| (PS5M5) |
[27] Mm. [28] Was that that was that was the night [...] or |
| (K6SPS000) |
[29] No. [30] Yes that would the night when the body was put in the coffin . |
| (PS5M5) |
[31] Coffin. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[32] Aye. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[33] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[34] Right. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[35] And a lot of the friends were asked to come [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[36] To come [...] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[37] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[38] Because I've had [...] a look through all the books that there was and er there's never more than what [...] . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[39] Mhm. [40] Well you see |
| (PS5M5) |
[41] So it's something nobody knows much about what [...] were like in Orkney . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[42] [...] but this actually came from [...] thinking about shops. |
| (PS5M5) |
[43] I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[44] And and things that that were sold you know in different places and this |
| (PS5M5) |
[45] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[46] small sort of shops that were well in Bremness and |
| (PS5M5) |
[47] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[48] Mhm. [49] And they would sell maybe the cloth |
| (K6SPS000) |
[50] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[51] and and the what else would they sell? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[52] Well I don't know what else they had I think |
| (PS5M5) |
[53] Ah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[54] it was just more or less They they certainly wouldn't have food or anything like that I think it was just more or less the supplier or [...] That would be |
| (PS5M5) |
[55] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[56] when relatives called you see. |
| (PS5M5) |
[57] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[58] And so that the folk wouldn't have to trudge into the [...] to to buy their stuff [...] . |
| (PS5M5) | [...] [laugh] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[59] No but you certainly nobody no woman ever went [...] |
| (PS5M5) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[60] when I was young. [61] Nobody. [62] And in fact women weren't |
| (PS5M5) |
[63] Mm. [64] No. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[65] seen at funerals. |
| (PS5M5) |
[66] Oh is that right? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[67] Yeah |
| (K6SPS001) |
[68] [...] the woman was never seen |
| (K6SPS000) |
[69] They went into the either the upstairs room or the kitchen or somewhere, the door was shut and that was them. |
| (PS5M5) |
[70] Oh I see so sort of on on the funeral day they they wouldn't even be in the house . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[71] Oh no no |
| (K6SPS001) |
[72] No no [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[73] And |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[74] and like when anybody died, your blinds were taken down. |
| (PS5M5) |
[75] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[76] And maybe a relative or a near relative would do the same. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[77] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[78] I can |
| (PS5M5) |
[79] Yes. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[80] mind being in in here with blinds down. [81] And always when a funeral come down the school road, there's blinds would be taken down as well. [82] As well as all |
| (PS5M5) |
[83] Oh [...] |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[84] the folk in sc on the school road. [85] [...] Shops everything took their blinds down. |
| (PS5M5) |
[86] A sign of respect I suppose was it not ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[87] Yes a sign of respect I suppose. |
| (PS5M5) |
[88] And what about bairns, would they keep them in? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[89] Oh yes |
| (PS5M5) |
[90] Rather then |
| (K6SPS000) |
[91] Oh yes and you didn't get to go to school. [92] I mean you were kept home. |
| (PS5M5) |
[93] Oh! [94] Oh is that right? |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[95] Yes. [96] You you stayed at home. |
| (PS5M5) |
[97] I see. [98] Oh and you would you would just get a day off for the for the funeral if it was a near relative to you. [99] Would it be? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[100] Yes but usually you were off school right from the person died to the to to after the funeral . |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[101] How long would that be? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[102] Maybe three days. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[103] Three or four days. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[104] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[105] Three of four days. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[106] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[107] Mhm just [...] kind of |
| (K6SPS000) |
[108] Mhm. [109] And then there's black clothes was worn. [110] From top to toe. |
| (PS5M5) |
[111] Oh yes I've heard of it. [112] I've heard of it. [113] That was the one thing that was that I read in the books that it was kind of tradition for the men to wear black. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[114] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[115] Oh but the women wore black too. |
| (PS5M5) |
[116] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[117] And if you I mean if you maybe couldn't afford to buy a new raincoat, you would have a big black diamond cut off a piece of cloth |
| (PS5M5) |
[118] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[119] and sewn on. |
| (PS5M5) |
[120] Oh |
| (K6SPS000) |
[121] or an armband but it was usually a black diamond here that was worn. |
| (PS5M5) |
[122] Really? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[123] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) | [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[124] Aye and the women would wear maybe grey. |
| (PS5M5) |
[125] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[126] After [...] or or a [...] . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[127] Mhm. [128] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[129] Aha and what about hats? [130] Would they have [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[131] Oh well hats were worn. |
| (PS5M5) |
[132] or or would they [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[133] The funeral day they wore bowler hats. |
| (PS5M5) |
[134] Oh really? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[135] Oh yes, the men wore I can remember my father wearing a bowler hat |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[136] Oh really? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[137] Oh yes. [138] And some of them may maybe the old women had a cap on but it was usually bowler hats. |
| (PS5M5) |
[139] For heaven sakes, bowler hats. [140] That's just [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[141] That's with stiff white collars and |
| (K6SPS001) |
[142] Oh yes. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[143] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[144] That's that would be a complete suit then really wouldn't it ? |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[145] And would it be just kept for funerals especially. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[146] Oh well they usually had a dark suit [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[147] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[148] usually in a dark navy or |
| (PS5M5) |
[149] Mhm so it would double as kind of a [...] suit |
| (K6SPS000) |
[150] Oh yes [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[151] it they wouldn't have just special clothes for the funeral ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[152] No no. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[153] No. [154] [...] the bowler hat was special |
| (PS5M5) |
[155] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[156] the bowler hat. |
| (PS5M5) |
[157] Aha. [158] Yes I can imagine that would that would be special. [159] It wo must have been I mean that was if you [...] to get completely new clothes every time, that would have been an amazing expense wouldn't it . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[160] Oh no [...] usually [...] dark clothes. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[161] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[162] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[163] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[164] You know. |
| (PS5M5) |
[165] Ah. [166] Well I suppose that's still a bit true. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[167] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[168] [...] try and wear the dark clothes . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[169] Oh yes yes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[170] Mm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[171] Yeah. [172] Mhm. [173] So would it would it almost be two parts to a funeral then? [174] A [...] and a a burial. [175] Was it the both both |
| (K6SPS000) |
[176] Oh yes [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[177] Yes [...] [...] they don't [...] now? [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[178] No but [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[179] Sometimes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[180] Well well the undertaker [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[181] Yes. [182] Oh no there's no [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[183] [...] no report filed in like [...] |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[184] Mm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[185] You see before there would be no women at the funeral so the women would maybe be |
| (K6SPS001) |
[186] No. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[187] you know they would come actually at that rather than funeral day . |
| (PS5M5) |
[188] Mhm. [189] Aha. [190] So what what was the [...] ? [191] What you call a wake? [192] Would that be the same ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[193] Well yes, something the same. [194] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[195] Mhm. [196] So were folk actually invited to that before? [197] Really ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[198] Yes yes |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[199] Cos that's something that's completely |
| (K6SPS000) |
[200] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[201] changes [...] and who were the invited? [202] I read somewhere there was something called bidding? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[203] Just [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[204] [...] bids |
| (K6SPS001) |
[205] Near relations I suppose. |
| (PS5M5) |
[206] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[207] Yes. [208] And some would maybe just arrive if they thought they should be there. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[209] Oh I suppose so . |
| (PS5M5) |
[210] Yeah. [211] Mhm. [212] And would the minister be there too? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[213] No. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[214] No. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[215] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[216] That would |
| (K6SPS001) |
[217] Not at the [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[218] No no. |
| (PS5M5) |
[219] Aha. [220] That would just be the near relations then? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[221] Mhm. [222] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[223] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[224] The undertaker [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[225] And then they would all stay for tea or whatever. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[226] Mm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[227] Yeah. [228] Mhm. [229] So who would arrange for the funeral then? [230] Would it be that head of the family? or the coffin maker ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[231] Oh yes usually. [232] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[233] [...] the undertaker [...] . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[234] Oh yes I mean [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[235] He [...] maybe not |
| (K6SPS000) |
[236] Oh I think so I think they just you just contact the undertaker and he |
| (PS5M5) |
[237] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[238] [...] he does everything else. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[239] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[240] He does the the main thing. [241] Cos I did hear on Sanday that erm it was a joiner that made the coffin. [242] And he was the joiner was the undertaker. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[243] Well that's quite often the case. |
| (PS5M5) |
[244] Yes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[245] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[246] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[247] And Bill [...] that was here he was the same. [248] He made the coffins. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[249] Yes but they don't do it now |
| (K6SPS000) |
[250] No no. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[251] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[252] Oh I see they don't so i No I suppose they're bought [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[253] But it's still the joiner that's the undertaker. |
| (PS5M5) |
[254] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[255] Yes that's right. |
| (PS5M5) |
[256] Yeah. [257] And it was er no it was a lady on Sanday, her dad had been the joiner there and she said that erm he acted as the funeral arranger as well. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[258] Aye [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[259] He did so he actually organized the funeral. [260] But I |
| (K6SPS000) |
[261] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[262] thought that w couldn't have been normal. [263] I was sure that it was usually the head of the family that organized that. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[264] Well I don't know. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[265] Well But it was sto er I mean to say they told er the undertaker who they wanted. |
| (PS5M5) |
[266] I see. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[267] At one time they'd say, Oh just bid the whole parish. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[268] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[269] And they'd be written cards put put out to everybody. |
| (PS5M5) |
[270] Oh I see not a funeral notice ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[271] Yeah. [272] Oh no no. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[273] No No. [274] [...] funeral notice |
| (PS5M5) |
[275] Oh I s Oh really. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[276] That's that's [...] |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[277] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[278] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[279] I think [...] the first time I remember that I thought, Lord that just looked like a dance advertised through the window . |
| (PS5M5) |
[280] Yeah it does. [281] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[282] That was [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[283] Mhm. [284] So I so there'd there'd be there'd be written to and would it be special paper ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[285] Well [...] were posted. |
| (PS5M5) |
[286] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[287] You know [...] like there was always a boy that er went round the village |
| (K6SPS001) |
[288] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[289] and just had the card with him. |
| (PS5M5) |
[290] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[291] And he had to be dressed in his Sunday best when he went round [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[292] I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[293] And he just knocked on the door and you just came and you read the card and that was it. [294] I mean you didn't get the card, he just had the one card [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[295] I see. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[296] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[297] Mhm. [298] [...] Stewart [...] doing that |
| (PS5M5) |
[299] So this official card would be passed round. [300] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[301] so that's not so many years ago. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[302] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[303] Really is that right. [304] I never n that's changed. [305] And would this card be a a special black card or |
| (K6SPS000) |
[306] Oh yes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[307] It was just a ordinary |
| (K6SPS000) |
[308] Aha just a aha |
| (K6SPS001) |
[309] [...] black edge on it. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[310] Yes |
| (PS5M5) |
[311] A black edge. [312] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[313] And you [...] the wee envelopes that came in with the black edging on them. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[314] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[315] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[316] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[317] I see and and the boy that would be sent round would he be one of the family or related to any [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[318] No no he would just be [...] It would just be the undertaker would usually have somebody that did that. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[319] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[320] Oh I see so |
| (K6SPS000) |
[321] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[322] this was something they would |
| (K6SPS000) |
[323] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[324] arrange. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[325] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[326] I see, I didn't realize funeral notices were that new. [327] I just thought [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[328] Ah well it's a good few years for this. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[329] Well [...] Stewart still did it. |
| (PS5M5) |
[330] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[331] But he would be [...] the last of them in [...] that did it. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[332] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[333] Mhm. [334] So was there a chap in [...] that made coffins then? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[335] Oh yes. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[336] At one time yes. [337] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[338] Aha. [339] And |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[340] Bill [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[341] And [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[342] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[343] And sis he do it for the whole of the island or just the [...] was did the sort of parish have their own chap ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[344] Oh no the whole whole lot. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[345] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[346] I see. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[347] Whole island. [348] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[349] [...] . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[350] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[351] Oh there's two. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[352] Aye there's two. [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[353] [laugh] There's always two of everything. [354] [laugh] And what did they look like? [355] Were they cos I read this wife in Sanday said that her dad covered the coffins in black material. [356] So that you didn't |
| (K6SPS001) |
[357] Aha so they did. |
| (PS5M5) |
[358] see the wood. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[359] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[360] Yeah that was right. [361] And I mind er [...] mother the first time [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[362] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[363] it was [...] material. |
| (PS5M5) |
[364] Mosh? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[365] [...] . [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[366] [...] . |
| Unknown speaker (K6SPSUNK) | [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[367] And er I thought it was so bonny besides the [...] black. |
| (PS5M5) |
[368] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[369] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[370] So they were mauve mauve covered here. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[371] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[372] And would would erm the joiner do that himself then, he would do everything ? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[373] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[374] Yeah. [375] And cover it was well? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[376] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[377] Mhm. [378] And then once I suppose he wouldn't make it in the house would he he would have it made and brought to the house . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[379] No no he would [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[380] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[381] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[382] Mhm, yeah. [383] And then there would be the [...] and then and while it would be while the f the coffin was in the house that it was [...] was it? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[384] Aye that's right. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[385] Oh yes [...] I mean the wh the funeral day, you would keep the blinds down that day too. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[386] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[387] Yeah. [388] So so it would about four days. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[389] [...] the next day they [...] you went to nothing. |
| (PS5M5) |
[390] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[391] You didn't go to dances or anything like that. [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[392] Yeah. [393] And what about after the funeral day? [394] Did it relax more then |
| (K6SPS000) |
[395] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[396] or was there a sort of spell afterwards too . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[397] Oh yes there would be you'd [...] a year you would be supposed to be [...] not very much . |
| (PS5M5) |
[398] Oh heaven's Oh right. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[399] Oh yes,you wouldn't be supposed to go to a dance or corn [...] or anything like that . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[400] Oh no. [401] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[402] For about a year? [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[403] Aha. [404] By that time somebody else had died [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[405] [laugh] So you were [laugh] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[406] [...] you wouldn't get [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[407] So you were in in mourning just like the [laughing] whole time [] . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[408] I can remember you wearing black forever. [409] Black slippers, black stockings black [...] , |
| (PS5M5) | [laugh] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[410] black hat. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[411] And mother died and then father j well mother died in nineteen forty and father died in nineteen forty one. [412] And I can't mind [...] what er what dates. [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[413] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[414] I can't mind [...] the dates. [415] But it'll [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[416] was this the time you had your black edged writing paper and black edged envelopes and [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[417] No well I never [...] that far but that was done and some would have the broad black [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[418] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[419] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[420] [...] letters would come from [...] in this broad black [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[421] Oh is that right? [422] Mhm. [423] Mhm just to mark |
| (K6SPS001) |
[424] You never see that now. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[425] Oh no. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[426] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[427] No that's that's completely gone by the by yeah, yeah. [428] Folk seem to I don't know have a different attitude completely . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[429] [...] invitations to funerals lying somewhere. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[430] [...] used to get them sent |
| (K6SPS001) |
[431] Aye [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[432] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[433] [...] somebody had one that |
| (PS5M5) |
[434] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[435] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[436] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[437] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[438] What about the service? [439] Would that take place in a church then or in the home ? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[440] No in the house. |
| (PS5M5) |
[441] In the house. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[442] Aye the home [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[443] Yeah. [444] And and |
| (K6SPS001) |
[445] [...] it was always the home. |
| (PS5M5) |
[446] Mhm and that would be the time then that the women would go upstairs or into the kitchen or |
| (K6SPS001) |
[447] Aye [...] |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[448] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[449] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[450] [...] funny mind, we were just speaking about funerals not that long ago and you were just saying like er you remember the [...] , when he died, [...] |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[451] Oh yes aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[452] [...] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[453] And I mean there was they walked to [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[454] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[455] [...] it was a long trudge. |
| (PS5M5) |
[456] That is a long trudge. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[457] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[458] Going from [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[459] And then it would just be well it would be a horse ca hearse then . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[460] Aye yes. [461] Yes it was a horse [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[462] Yes it would be pulled by horses. |
| (PS5M5) |
[463] Mhm. [464] Heaven sakes [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[465] And mother was the last that was in that hearse. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[466] Was that right? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[467] Mhm nineteen forty, I don't think [...] ever [...] after that. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[468] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[469] Is that right. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[470] Mm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[471] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[472] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[473] [...] that field there. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[474] [...] James 's? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[475] Aye [...] stood there and mind one halloween, the boys took it and set it in front of 's door. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[476] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[477] Is that right? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[478] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[479] [...] . [laugh] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[480] [...] they must have |
| (PS5M5) |
[481] Oh |
| (K6SPS001) |
[482] destroyed it . |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[483] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[484] Probably right enough. [485] So would the coffin be carried out of the house then, into the hearse. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[486] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[487] And that would be the ma well that would be the like the closest |
| (K6SPS000) |
[488] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[489] be like the bearers would do that [...] ? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[490] Aha. [491] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[492] Do you ever mind them walking, carrying the coffin [...] to the graveyard. [493] Cos on a couple of islands |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[494] the walked with the coffin. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[495] Yeah that that used to be I've seen on film I've seen that you know like in Stornoway and places like that they carried the coffins |
| (K6SPS001) |
[496] I suppose. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[497] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[498] I suppose that's where they had no roads maybe or no hearse or something . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[499] No no. [500] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[501] There would always be a a hearse. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[502] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[503] Was that a special cart then? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[504] Oh yes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[505] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[506] Mhm |
| (K6SPS000) |
[507] Aha. [508] Special. |
| (PS5M5) |
[509] Just just used for |
| (K6SPS000) |
[510] It was c it was covered. [511] Wasn't it, the hearse was covered in? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[512] Yes it was just a |
| (K6SPS000) |
[513] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[514] black coach you know with glass |
| (K6SPS000) |
[515] Something like a coach. |
| (PS5M5) |
[516] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[517] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[518] Yes just like a coach. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[519] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[520] Driven with horse driven. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[521] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[522] Mhm. [523] And would the undertaker drive it? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[524] No. [525] It was always a |
| (K6SPS000) |
[526] Well it was somebody who could work horses I suppose . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[527] Somebody well it was Magnus Bruce that used to drive it. [528] Cos well I |
| (K6SPS000) |
[529] Ah. |
| (PS5M5) |
[530] Magnus Bruce. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[531] don't know why. [532] I don't know [...] but he used to drive it. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[533] That would be Robert [...] 's grandfather. |
| (PS5M5) |
[534] Oh heaven sakes yeah [...] . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[535] I think he I think he drove it. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[536] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[537] Mhm. [538] So would this be just a a this hearse be just a black cart with glass and then a hood? [539] Be quite, nobody would fit in it? [540] Or did [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[541] No no there's just [...] |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[542] Yes |
| (PS5M5) |
[543] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[544] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[545] I see. [546] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[547] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[548] And then it would be Then would the mean follow the hearse? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[549] Yes yes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[550] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[551] Mhm. [552] Right to the graveyard and then it would be |
| (K6SPS000) |
[553] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[554] It was a long day you know. |
| (PS5M5) |
[555] Yes it would be. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[556] [...] some of them forgot to come back at night. [557] They used to [...] . |
| (PS5M5) |
[558] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[559] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[560] Consolers. [laugh] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[561] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[562] And what times would funerals normally be? [563] In an afternoon? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[564] I don't know. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[565] Twelve o'clock usually . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[566] Twelve o'clock? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[567] Yes. [568] Twelve o'clock used to be a great well as far as I can remember. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[569] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[570] It was twelve o'clock the funeral was a usually at. |
| (PS5M5) |
[571] I see . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[572] And now it's usually two. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[573] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[574] That's right it's moved to the afternoon. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[575] [...] well [...] twelve before they walked the distance and got back again. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[576] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[577] That's well that's right. [578] They'd be following the cart so it would be going slow wouldn't it. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[579] Yes. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[580] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[581] Mhm. [582] And er the minister would be at the house? [583] Or would have to would he ? |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] [...] [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[584] Was the minister at the house? [laugh] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[585] Whether he had to walk or whether [...] I don't know. |
| (PS5M5) |
[586] But he would be at the house anyway wouldn't he ? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[587] Oh sure. |
| (PS5M5) |
[588] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[589] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[590] And old Mr our minister he he used to by pony and trap. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[591] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[592] But I remember [...] he never had a trap or anything. |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[593] Mhm. [594] Mhm. [595] Yeah so he wouldn't have a tra And then they would So it would start I suppose folk would start arriving at the house quite early in the morning . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[596] Oh I would think so. [597] Mhm . |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[598] And then they'd have the funeral at twelve and then they would walk. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[599] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[600] Right. [601] And then was did they come back for tea at the house? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[602] No no that wasn't done then. |
| (PS5M5) |
[603] I see. [604] That's is that a new thing then? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[605] Yes. [606] Er |
| (PS5M5) |
[607] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[608] I don't remember anybody coming back here |
| (PS5M5) |
[609] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[610] Not [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[611] So the women weren't staying at home in the itched to make things for or to back or anything ? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[612] Oh no there was nothing of the kind no. |
| (PS5M5) |
[613] Mhm. [614] I see. [615] And and [...] they wouldn't be in the procession either ? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[616] Oh no no. [617] No no |
| (K6SPS000) |
[618] No no . |
| (PS5M5) |
[619] No. [620] Yes it'd be just be the men at the graveyard . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[621] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[622] Cos in [...] apparently the women attended too. [623] But I've |
| (K6SPS000) |
[624] Yes. [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[625] Yeah But I've never |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[626] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[627] [...] attended as well. [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[628] Oh is that right? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[629] that the women went there. [630] But |
| (PS5M5) |
[631] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[632] how long ago that was I don't know. |
| (PS5M5) |
[633] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[634] [...] they certainly went there long before they did down here. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[635] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[636] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[637] That's right. |
| (PS5M5) |
[638] I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[639] And even still, there's not an awful lot of women go to funerals here . |
| (PS5M5) |
[640] No no. [641] You don't see it right enough. [642] Not really. [643] And then but it was seen as okay that the men could go to the pub after a funeral? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[644] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[645] Er that was |
| (K6SPS001) |
[646] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[647] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[648] Yeah. [649] Quite condoled. [650] Mhm. [651] So that's that's quite interesting too. [652] Cos I wondered if funerals would would wo have been seen as another sign of disrespect. [653] To have alcohol at it. [654] But it doesn't seem to have been . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[655] Oh no no. |
| (PS5M5) |
[656] [...] And the wake would that always be The [...] would that always be an evening thing? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[657] Always an evening thing yes . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[658] Yes. [659] Aha. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[660] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[661] Yeah. [662] Whereas the funerals was a whole day. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[663] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[664] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[665] That's right. |
| (PS5M5) |
[666] Well that's we've got quite a lot that's that's [laughing] brilliant [] . [667] [...] you see none of that's written down because nobody |
| (K6SPS000) |
[668] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[669] knows that. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[670] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[671] Er [...] nobody knows that. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[672] Did they have wreaths in them days? |
| (PS5M5) |
[673] Oh that's the other thing I meant to ask |
| (K6SPS001) |
[674] [...] it was home-made wreaths. |
| (PS5M5) |
[675] Home-made wreaths. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[676] Yeah, the people, what did they make them out of? |
| (K6SPS001) |
[677] Well evergreens. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[678] Oh I see. |
| (PS5M5) |
[679] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[680] Well if there was flowers in |
| (K6SPS000) |
[681] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[682] growing at that time, it would have flowers stuck in. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[683] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[684] But it was evergreens [...] I can mind mother making them. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[685] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[686] Oh really. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[687] Oh yes, I can mind mother |
| (K6SPS000) |
[688] Would it be gorse and wire and |
| (K6SPS001) |
[689] Well er just [...] wire and they just laid evergreens you know and one and just [...] them and [...] them and made a circle and a |
| (PS5M5) |
[690] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[691] everyday [...] stuck them in. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[692] Oh yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[693] Mhm. [694] So would every family make a wreath if it was you know somebody c near them, they'd make their own . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[695] Oh yes. [696] Yes it was Yes [...] make a wreath you know and send |
| (PS5M5) |
[697] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[698] [...] . [699] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[700] Oh heaven sakes cos that's that is a a new thing [...] plastic flowers. [701] Couldn't possibly have been there in the old days . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[702] Oh [...] no no never saw any plastic flowers then. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[703] No. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[704] But when evergreens you know was bonny [...] white evergreen you know |
| (K6SPS000) |
[705] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[706] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[707] and made a bonny wreath. |
| (PS5M5) |
[708] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[709] Aha. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[710] [...] white on it. |
| (PS5M5) |
[711] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[712] And just a small leaf on |
| (K6SPS001) |
[713] And just a small leaf |
| (PS5M5) |
[714] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[715] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[716] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[717] Mhm. [718] I know they make wreaths just like you're meaning in Germany f at Easter. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[719] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[720] A woman I was staying with made a wreath like that |
| (K6SPS000) |
[721] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[722] specially for Easter and it was just exactly like you said. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[723] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[724] Wire and she twisted them. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[725] Twisted [...] |
| (K6SPS000) | [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[726] lay on and twist it and lay on you know. |
| (PS5M5) |
[727] Aha. [728] But it took her it used to take her quite a while I suppose it would take couple of hours to make a bonny wreath would it . |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[729] Mhm. [730] Yes it would |
| (K6SPS000) |
[731] Well I can mind us making a wreath at school when Miriam died, that was the only only body I ever remember dying when I was at school. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[732] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[733] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[734] And we [...] eight maybe took meningitis and died |
| (PS5M5) |
[735] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[736] And I can remember we went and gathered violets. [737] Bunches and bunches of violets. |
| (PS5M5) |
[738] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[739] And [...] they were tiny and we tied them in wee bunches and it was Miss [...] who was the teacher then and she made a cross and put [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[740] Oh how nice. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[741] Ad we tied on these bunches on the cross. [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[742] [...] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[743] And we went away up to [...] to gather the violets. |
| (PS5M5) |
[744] Heaven sakes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[745] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[746] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[747] It's just been such, it's obviously been a thing that affected the whole community [...] |
| (K6SPS001) |
[748] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[749] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[750] That's what It seems that you don't It seems to affect the immediate folk and not many other folks nowadays . |
| (K6SPS001) |
[751] [...] never wore anything but black from that day to the day she died . |
| (PS5M5) |
[752] Oh really? [753] Is that right? |
| (K6SPS000) |
[754] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[755] Never had a colour on her again. |
| (PS5M5) |
[756] Heaven sakes. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[757] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[758] No that's erm quite |
| (K6SPS000) |
[759] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[760] Cos nowadays if you if you did something like that folk would say you'd gone a bit funny. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[761] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[762] They would say it's really affected you . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[763] Mhm. [764] [...] colour again. |
| (PS5M5) |
[765] Mhm. [766] Yeah that's just that's sad really. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[767] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[768] Very sad. [769] Yes that that is interesting. [770] The other thing I was wondering is about the grave-diggers. [...] nowadays they're at the side of the grave ready aren't they. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[771] Aha. |
| (PS5M5) |
[772] After funerals. [773] Was that so in the old days do you know? [774] Or d |
| (K6SPS001) |
[775] I've no idea about that what they did at the grave? |
| (PS5M5) |
[776] Yeah. [777] Cos you wouldn't be there you see [...] |
| (K6SPS000) |
[778] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[779] It wouldn't be wouldn't be done. [780] Mm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[781] Well I know they're not allowed [...] to dig down like what they used to do. [782] I mean before they went quite a depth down sometimes. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[783] [...] be two layer down. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[784] Yes well you see they're not allowed to do that. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[785] Oh! |
| (K6SPS000) |
[786] Cos you see [...] and they could fall in. |
| (PS5M5) |
[787] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[788] There'd just be one of them there. [789] But you see it's jut new regulations and a lot of the graveyards were on sandy ground and they'd be quite liable |
| (PS5M5) |
[790] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[791] to cave in. |
| (PS5M5) |
[792] Yeah. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[793] So this is the [...] that you're going over so much. [794] Otherwise they'd have had had |
| (PS5M5) |
[795] Oh I see. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[796] had this shored up. |
| (PS5M5) |
[797] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[798] [...] always used to be sort of double depth down but they're not any longer. |
| (PS5M5) |
[799] That's true. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[800] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[801] Cos that's right it was quite traditional to put folk |
| (K6SPS000) |
[802] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[803] kin, husband and wife and maybe |
| (K6SPS000) |
[804] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[805] a bairn or something all in the one. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[806] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[807] That's right, I mind that. [808] Well all this new the regulations are fairly new I think about |
| (K6SPS000) |
[809] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[810] Cos there wasn't a regulation afore about how deep they had to be. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[811] No. |
| (PS5M5) |
[812] So or anything like that. [813] I mind that right enough. [814] Yeah. [815] Well that is very interesting, that's helped me a lot. [laugh] |
| (K6SPS000) | [laugh] |
| (PS5M5) |
[816] [...] a bit for the for the archive. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[817] Bits and pieces. |
| (PS5M5) |
[818] Bits and pieces. [819] See if this grave-digger knows any more. [820] I bet he won't know [laughing] much more than that [] . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[821] [laugh] I would think every community would have sort of customs of their own to a certain degree too wouldn't they. |
| (K6SPS001) | [...] |
| (PS5M5) |
[822] Yeah. [823] Well this is that's what it says there too, it diff Doesn't it say there it's different |
| (K6SPS000) |
[824] Yes. |
| (PS5M5) |
[825] in Orkney but nobody knows what was different . |
| (K6SPS000) |
[826] Mhm. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[827] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[828] Nobody knows what was normal and what was different. [829] But if it's true about the women going to funerals in [...] , that's certainly different. |
| (K6SPS001) |
[830] Yes. [831] That's right. |
| (PS5M5) |
[832] Aha and maybe in in [...] . [833] That's that's certainly a a big big difference. |
| (K6SPS000) |
[834] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[835] From what from what would be here. [836] Indeed. [837] But that about the shops I I never knew. [838] That you might have shops for |
| (K6SPS000) |
[839] Mhm. |
| (PS5M5) |
[840] for that things but I suppose right enough. [841] That would be quite different. [842] [...] listen if that worked. [recording ends] |