My family moved to Sandwick, in Shetland's south Mainland, from Baltasound in the north isles, around Christmas-time in 1954, when I was 6 years old. Our nearest neighbour was George John Stove, one of the crewmen on the "Harvest Hope", depicted above. The painting was commissioned by Colin, the son of George John, and my earliest memories of life in the new parish were what seemed to be endless sunny days of fun with Colin and the other children of the district. Colin is now an eminent physicist, his particular area of expertise being the use of sonar in geological exploration, and he was part of the hanging party which helped with the setting up of my recent exhibition in the Creel Inn, Catterline (of which more later).
The "Harvest Hope" was built in 1949 by Stephens of Banff for Alex and Robert Duthie of Lerwick. She was 57ft long and 27 tons gross and net. She is pictured approaching the north mouth of Lerwick harbour in strong north-westerly winds, with the Green Holm and the Brethren skerries to port in the background.
