Interviews of Dora Nichol

In this interview (DG47/30/1/1, track 1 of 2) Dora Nicholl talks about her life, particularly after she moved to Carsluith when she married in 1954. Dora was born in Peebles and moved to Stirlingshire aged 1, when her father, a farm-worker, got a job there. She trained as a telephone operator but didn't find she was suited to the work so she took a job at Auchenlarie farm with the McCulloch family. Her husband, Willie, got a job building the foundations for the joiner's shop at the Broch and they moved to stay in the Broch while he worked at the estate. Later she moved to Barholm cottage and eventually to the big house at Bayview. She recalls who lived in many of the houses in Carsluith and also talks about the very close-knit community.

She also speaks about her brother Jock MacKracken, who became a minister and relates various anecdotes relating to her family and Carsluith. She talks about the salmon net fishing and the big snow storm of 1947 which her husband told her about. He and one of the McGuffie's walked along the seashore to get bread for the villagers. She also talks about the birth of her children and she and David speak about the impact of the loss of Carsluith school on the community.

Towards the end of the interview, David and Dora talk about the estates of Cardoness and Kirkdale and reflect on the impact of two World Wars on the local community and life.

In the 2nd track (DG 47/30/1/3), Dora comments on the trouble she has with her legs and says one neighbour had suggested it might be to do with the water at Carsluith.