2004.2.2

John MacDonald of Heanish with visiting children at Gott Bay pier

Photograph of John MacDonald of Heanish with visiting children at Gott Bay pier around 1930.

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Courtesy of Dr John MacDonald

John MacDonald of Heanish is seen here on the left with visiting children on Gott Bay pier around 1930. John, known as ‘Nonian’, was the caretaker for Scarinish lighthouse and also worked as a docker at the pier. On the right is Hector MacKinnon (Eachann Dhonnchaidh) of Scarinish. The horse belonged to Alan MacFadyen of Gott.

In those days, a railway ran down the centre of the pier and a bogey, pulled by the horse, carried cargo between the ferry or puffer and the pier shed and office where all loads were marked in the ledger and pier dues collected. The bogey was attached to the horse’s collar by chains which can be seen in the photograph.

Nonian was good piper and fiddle player and would sing at ceilidhs and dances. His favourite song was ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’.

Black and white photograph of John MacDonald on Gott Bay pier in the 1920s or 30s.

John MacDonald of Heanish is seen here on the left with visiting children on Gott Bay pier around 1930. John, known as ‘Nonian’, was the caretaker for Scarinish lighthouse and also worked as a docker at the pier. On the right is Hector MacKinnon (Eachann Dhonnchaidh) of Scarinish. The horse belonged to Alan MacFadyen of Gott. In those days, a railway ran down the centre of the pier and a bogey, pulled by the horse, carried cargo between the ferry or puffer and the pier shed and office where all loads were marked in the ledger and pier dues collected. The bogey was attached to the horse’s collar by chains which can be seen in the photograph.

Object Details

Other Number: D112

Gott Bay pier around 1930

The horse pulled a bogey that ran on rails up the centre of the pier, transporting cargo between the ferry and the pier shed. John `Nonian` MacDonald of Heanish (left) was a docker at the pier and the caretaker of Scarinish lighthouse. Hector MacKinnon (Eachann Dhonnchaidh) of Scarinish is on the right. The children are visitors.

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