Acknowledgements |
Putting together a website of this magnitude requires assistance and information from a variety of resources. Below I have listed the individuals and organisations that played a huge part in assisting me put this together. Those listed below were instrumental with providing me with help, support, information, local stories, or maybe just a small photograph that provided a final piece to a particular jigsaw.
Jacky Kenn. My wife deserves a medal for her patience and support for this project, particularly for the times where I would disappear to archives and libraries for research purposes. I also appreciate her acceptance of the long hours, on weekday evenings and weekend days, that I spent at home piecing this all together. It’s taken me a period of two years to complete this site so she deserves to sit proudly at the top of this list.
Anne Kenn. My mother wasn’t aware that when she started collecting information about the local area and putting faded black and white photographs in photo albums in the 1960’s that they would later become an integral part of something called the world wide web however that is exactly what did happen. Her memories that accompanied these collections played a big part too. Thanks Mum.
John Kenn. My father has lived in Portlethen all his life and his input helped me weave a thread through a tapestry of stories to stitch them all together. The fact that he allowed us, as kids, to use the family boat to gain our sea legs and understand the local coast has been a huge influence too.
Ron Kenn. My brother assisted in prompting my memory with lots of long forgotten facts from our youth. His understanding and knowledge of the area was a vast help too. He’s also a good guy to have around when you are out in a small boat, his help in assisting me put together many of the photos in the “Rocks and Sloughs” section has been invaluable.
Patricia and Neil Shelton. My sister and brother in law shared my enthusiasm in this project and acted as proof readers for many of the sections, ensuring I had my facts right. They also ably assisted when I sent them out on an occasional wild goose chase. Shame about the Johnshaven boat Neil, but it may turn up yet.
Norman T. Nicoll. My neighbour, Norman (and his late wife, Jean) were interested in the history of Downies and Portlethen as far back as the 1960’s and put together a fantastic collection of photographs, anecdotes and stories that related to local fisher folks. I’m particularly indebted to Norman for permitting me to use some of his photographic collection, particularly those listed in the local galleries.
Fred Stewart. Fred is the local “Heritage Mannie” and is an enthusiastic collector of “all things Portlethen” and he’s been kind enough to share some of his discoveries with me. You can find a link to his website on the links page.
Steve, Elspeth & Hamish Bates. I am due thanks to my friends from Old Portlethen (of nearly 50 years standing), not only for being friends but for providing me with one or two photographs that “added a final piece to a jigsaw”.
Arthur and Elsie Bruce. For an evening of tea, cakes and an hour with a voice recorder as I recorded Arthur recounting days of yore. The old family photos were also a bonus.
Eddie Fraser. Eddie pointed me in the right direction in respect to online newspaper repositories and archives which aided me greatly in pinning down some of the history relating to local shipwrecks. This ended up being the largest section of the entire site so Eddie is due special thanks for giving me a lot of extra work!
Gerry Tait & May Smith. The owners of the Neuk helped me with some insights into the history of this local pub as well as allowing me to remove and take photos of the Douglas Cup. Mine’s a pint of Stella, Gerry. Cheers!
Nadine Mennie. A very special thanks to Nadine for permitting me to write about her late husband Chris.
George Craig. One of Old Portlethen’s original villagers (he would have to be with that name). George was always good for a story, anecdote or a well told tale of the “old days”.
Stuart Christie. For a great local website that I first looked at many years ago, which also inspired me to do one of my own along similar lines. You’ll find his website on the links page.
Colin Milne. Colin is another person with an inspirational website (see links). His book Fisherfolk to Torryfolk is a good read too. His website and book ties in well with much of my own research.
Marilyn Stronach. Marilyn, with the support of her family, provided some fantastic photographs and a wealth of information about the area from the 1940's to the 1960's, particularly in respect to church matters. Marilyn is the daughter of Reverend Alexander Dunn who served as minister at Portlethen church from 1939 to 1966.
Margery White. Margery is another lady who sent me old photos and information about Portlethen. Margery has links to one of the Craig families and gave me some valuable details in respect to old Mary Craig. See "Portlethen Centenerian" section.
Ethel Wallis. Ethel kept me correct with some names relating to another branch of Craig's. No easy task keeping tabs on all these Craig's. Thanks Ethel.
Elizabeth Gibson. For providing me with a human link to George Craig, the Portlethen Hero. Elizabeth is George's Great, Great Grandaughter. She also provided the photographs of his medal and certificate.
Nick Catford. Nick provided information relating to RAF Schoolhill. You’ll find a link to the Subterranea Britannica website on the links page.
Dave Martin. American Dave has a fascinating website (see links page), much of which relates to his father’s exploits during WWII. He also permitted me to use some photographs of his father around Portlethen whilst he was assigned to RAF Schoolhill.
Siri Lawson. Siri is a Norwegian lady with a fantastic website (see links). Her website opened a door for me to tell the story of some Norwegians who came ashore in a small boat at Portlethen during World War II.
Aberdeen Library and Information Services. Aberdeen’s Central Library have a wonderful local newspaper archive on microfiche, a huge variety of local literature and information, and most of all, helpful, patient and knowledgeable staff. I spent many Friday afternoons there.
Aberdeen Journals Ltd. The Local Press were an integral part of being able to put this site together and I tapped into many of their journalistic accounts from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries that enabled me to “tell a story”.
University of Aberdeen. I’m indebted to the staff of the Reading Room for assisting me in looking through archived estate papers, letters, accounts and providing copies of information, if required, in a timely manner. Thanks too, for the lesson in handling ancient manuscripts and documents in the proper manner. I’m now an expert in the art of wearing white gloves.
Aberdeen City Archives. The staff from the Archives in Dunbar Street, were a great help in assisting me look up old local school records. Additionally they kept me on the right track in respect to what I could and couldn’t see – shame, I wanted to check the 1960’s to see if a record was kept when we received the belt for being unruly.
National Archives of Scotland. These are the Daddy of all archives in Scotland. The staff are extremely knowledgeable, very patient and well versed in every subject. My three day visit to Edinburgh, to conclude some research, went like a dream thanks to the Archives being so organised. Check their website for information prior to making a visit.