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The
second video produced by WITPG takes another nostalgic road down memory
lane. Titled, ‘Transport Collection – Past & Present’, we
are treated to a wide selection of video footage from the 1980s onwards
and photographic stills going as far back as the 1920s that combine to
offer wonderful snapshots of the evolving history of commercial and
agricultural transport in the Outer Hebrides. |
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Opening with
panoramic scenes of majestic Stornoway harbour, the video moves on to a
selection of still photographs of the operators that provided essential
bus services to islanders throughout the twentieth century.
We are then ‘transported’ to the west coast of Lewis during the 1980s
where lorries, excavators and other plant are captured on video carrying
out resurfacing work on the seven mile Pentland Road – named after Lord
Pentland, who played a major part in road and pier construction projects
during the first half of the 20th century. |
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Also
captured on film are a few of those instances that all drivers and plant
operators dread – ‘that old sinking feeling’ where one is forced to
sheepishly ask for a tow to escape the mire. Oh well, we’ve all been
there, I suppose? The footage of peat harvesting with the small Massey
will be all too familiar to islanders. |
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Some of the
civil engineering work featured on the video includes improvements to
runways at Stornoway airport; resurfacing the Eisgean Road and roadworks
near Balallan School in Lewis. Other footage features the local
authority’s bus fleet and some of the truck ‘floats’ that play such a
key part during the annual Stornoway Carnival Day. |
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The world
famous Waverley paddle steamer makes a guest appearance on the video
after it called in at Tarbert, Harris, to offer day trips across the
Minch to Skye. Also included is WITPG’s ever popular Motoring Fun Day,
which was once again held at Stornoway Airport during 2004.
The
Western Isles Classic Car Group and WITPG organised a cavalcade of
classic cars between Stornoway and Tarbert to commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the first car to make the near thirty mile journey that
included an uncompromising climb up the might Clisham hill in Harris. |
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All this
and much more is captured on a 110 minute video that is available
for sale at £13 plus P&P
(approx £2 for overseas) |
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Contact: |
Roddy John MacDonald
Roinabhal
118 Cross Skigersta Road
Port of Ness
Isle of Lewis
Scotland |
Tel. 01851 810280
roddy@witpg.org.uk |
