From historic cars to holiday memories as Halkirk centre opens for season
Summer holiday mementoes and plastic suits created for the nuclear industry are among the wide range of exhibits this year at Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Centre.
There was a good turnout of members and invited guests for the preview evening on Good Friday before the centre in Sinclair Street opened for the 2025 season on Easter Saturday.
Since 2022 the building has been a showcase for well-preserved vehicles from yesteryear while also having a strong focus on local history. It is run by Halkirk Heritage and Vintage Motor Society SCIO.
The main exhibition this year concentrates on Stephen’s Plastics Ltd – the “plastic factory” which was located in the old school in Halkirk, now home to the society. Much information has been gleaned through photographs, recordings and written memories of the people who worked there.
The factory made plastic suits and other products for the UK Atomic Energy Authority – some of which are on display – and was operational from 1959-2014.
Society secretary Janet Mowat said: “I was delighted to meet up with Barbara Morgan, née Macdonald, who was on holiday from Dundee and had provided a number of photographs of people she worked with then.”
A mini-exhibition in the heritage room celebrates summer holidays past. Souvenirs, postcards, a deckchair and even a donkey are on display.
A light-hearted competition to name the donkey was held during the evening and the winner was Jimmy Falconer, who correctly guessed the name Hector.
The centre’s garage area has a number of new exhibits, from a horse gig to a Porsche.
George Sutherland, of Edderton, has loaned a 1930 Humber that once belonged to Captain F B Imbert-Terry who owned the Castle of Mey, or Barrogill Castle as it was then, and the vehicle was frequently driven from Stirling to Caithness.
Last licensed in 1942, the car was a unique barn find in Spittal.
The horse gig has been donated by Mr Sutherland, who remarked that he was “returning it to its rightful home” as he had purchased it from Gerston Farm in Halkirk.
John Young OBE donated his trophies from various car rally events from the 1950s and ’60s, including the Snowman Rally in 1961 and 1963, along with photographs and information about being a navigator in the Monte-Carlo Rally in 1959.
Hugh Manson donated his RAF uniform along with details of his involvement at Maralinga, South Australia, between 1955 and 1963. Maralinga was the British nuclear test site.
Mrs Mowat said: “The society is grateful to all who have contributed items over the past few years which means it can keep changing exhibitions year on year.
“It looks like being another good season for group visits – we have six already booked in. Visits can be arranged to suit each group’s individual requirements in terms of day and time.”
Anyone wishing to arrange a group visit can contact Mrs Mowat on 07760 351030.
The centre is open between 2pm and 4pm each Tuesday and Sunday in April, May and October, with the addition of a Saturday during June, July, August and September. Admission is free, with donations welcome.