Advertise on podcast: Olrig Observations

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A series of short podcasts by Castletown Heritage Society exploring the social history and heritage of the village of Castletown within the Parish of Olrig in Caithness, the most northerly county in the mainland of Scotland, UK. Known as 'The Flagstone Village', Castletown is intimately associated with the historical extraction, finishing and export world-wide of Caithness Flagstone paving from Castlehill Harbour. Today it is a thriving community, and there is much to tell about the social, industrial, agricultural, maritime, military and archaeological heritage of our village and parish.

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Check latest episodes from Olrig Observations podcast

What ever happened to the Traill family?

2026/01/02

Visitors to Castlehill Heritage Centre often ask if there are any remaining members of the Traill family living locally. To try to answer this, Muriel reveals her research into what the future held for James Traill and his large family.

Hugh Thomson's memorial stone on Dunnet Head

2025/09/28

Muriel interviews Janet Thomson from New Zealand, a recent visitor to Castlehill Heritage Centre, who tells the fascinating story behind a memorial stone which stands proud on nearby Dunnet Head and commemorates family member Hugh Thomson who died when he crashed his WWII Spitfire there in February 1942.

Castlehill in verse

2025/09/07

Inspired by the history of the now deserted buildings at Castlehill, two visitors to Castlehill Heritage Centre recall in verse those who lived and worked in this once vibrant site. Wave sounds courtesy of bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2025 BBC

The languages of Caithness

2025/08/19

Society member Sharon Pottinger explores the history and use of the three official languages that are written or spoken in Caithness today: English, Scots, and Scottish Gaelic. Episode logo Designed by Freepik

Hugh Ross Allan - decorated salvage diver from Dunnet

2025/07/03

Whilst researching the history of his house in Dunnet, local historian Drew Gutteridge uncovers the fascinating story of a previous resident - Hugh Ross Alan, who was a salvage diver and decorated WWII hero.

Donald's Military Career

2025/06/01

In the early 1800s Britain was on the brink of war with Napoleon. The exchange of letters between a Caithness father and son reveals familiar tensions as young Donald Williamson starts out on his military career. His demands, emotions and ultimate end reflect the story of many young servicemen in subsequent wars.

The life and times of Traill Hall

2025/02/09

Originally built as Public Reading Rooms in 1866, the imposing Traill Hall remains an icon of the Traill legacy in Castletown. The new owner reveals aspects of the history of the hall and some of the features revealed during its ongoing renovation and conversion into a family home.

Apprenticeships

2024/12/02

The concept of learning through an apprenticeship has a very long history. Looking into some local examples from the past threw up some interesting facts....

The wartime photograph

2024/05/25

A local war-time wedding photo from 1917 gives substance to the quote "A hero is an ordinary man doing extraordinary things in extraordinary times".

Watch Out

2024/02/07

While checking her watch, Muriel ponders on the local history of the timepiece.

Daisy's Map

2023/11/20

100 years ago Margaret Sinclair (known as Daisy) emigrated to Canada as a twelve year old. Homesick for Castletown she drew a map in pencil of the village. Now the map has returned to Caithness and provides a fascinating insight into life as Daisy saw it.

Lost in the Post

2023/07/05

When Muriel is handed a letter, handwritten by a Caithness businessman in early 1806, the upsetting contents prompt her to find out more. Her investigations reveal that the social consequences arising from the north mail robbery of 1805 stretched far beyond mere financial loss.

A Load of Old Rope

2023/03/19

Rope is a commodity that is perhaps taken for granted - it is readily commercially available with sizes and specifications suitable for a myriad of applications, such as securing loads, hauling fishing nets or towing vehicles. Murial takes us back to a time before the era of industrially manufactured rope, to when rope and string was made from whatever materials were available to hand locally, such as straw, rushes, grasses, and even daffodil leaves!

Lady Janet's Elusive Daughter

2023/02/25

Muriel investigates the curious story of Wilhelmina Barbara Traill, the eldest daughter of Lady Janet Traill and, she reveals, the surrogate daughter of Mary Dehaney, fiance of the lamented Sir John Sinclair, the 11th Earl of Caithness. The story starts with the donation of a heavy circular brass plaque to Castletown Heritage Society.....

James Traill of Rattar, founder of the Caithness Flagstone Industry

2022/11/30

James Traill of Rattar, Sheriff Depute of Caithness, is probably best known as the founder of the Caithness Flagstone Industry. But there is much more to this man - he was in his time the senior law representative in Caithness, a renowned agricultural improver, and of course the talented entrepreneur who spotted the commecial opportunity that could be realised through the extraction and export of Caithness flagstone world-wide. Muriel reveals a little of the background of this talented individual.