Amateur Operatic Society ⋆ Ross and Cromarty Heritage

Amateur Operatic Society

Attribution: unknown (The ruin of Free Church in Jamestown)

Introduction

The Chairman of the Strathpeffer Amateur Operatic Society, John M.M. Fleck, in his Foreword to the programme of ‘The Yeoman of the Guard’ (1971) wrote –

The Strathpeffer Amateur Operatic Society began in 1958, and ever since has been delighting audiences with its performances of Gilbert and Sullivan Operas. Its reputation has been achieved by much hard work and co-operation, but three people stand out as those most responsible for its high standards.

Lt. Col. Olaf Macleod, was the Society’s founder and Chairman until 1970. The magnificent costumes and scenery which characterize our productions have been designed, and in many cases made, by him. He has directed the Society’s affairs with great wisdom and energy, and its members fully realise how much they owe him and his wife.

The heavy responsibilities of these twelve years have taken their toll of time and health, and for the time being Colonel and Mrs Macleod are taking a rest from active participation in the Society.

We are fortunate in still having Mr Fred Henson who has been Musical Director from the beginning. His quiet but thorough training of the singers has given great pleasure to both members and audiences. This year he achieves his ambition of having an Orchestra to bring out the beauties of Sullivan’s fine score. Next year for the first time we shall be tackling a non-Gilbert and Sullivan Opera.

If you would like to take part in this production and are not at present a member of the Society, please complete the tear-out portion on page 5 and hand in to the Box Office as you leave the hall.

Attribution: unknown

Elizabeth Burns recalled in January 2002 the following

Col. Olaf Macleod (founder member and Chairman) designed, and, with some assistance, physically made the sets for the G. and S. operas. Being employed by the Hydro Electric he had available large stocks of strong cardboard (the cartons in which cookers, fridges, etc. were packed). He himself painted the back-cloths. He also designed all the costumes for G. & S. and these were made by the company. At the AGMs Olaf would show us a minature set painted in a shoe box with full backcloth and wings and one or two cardboard cutout figures in costume.

After 1970 costumes were designed by Elizabeth Burns, Esther Jones and Ruth Gilvray. Sets were (mainly) by John Crawford.

John Fleck, who produced most of the later Viennese and other operettas, organised the moves he wanted the cast to make, with a supply of pennies and halfpennies, labelled with the letter or number of each chorus member. These he moved about on his table and wrote down the resulting positions for instruction of the chorus.

Attribution: unknown

Productions

1959 The Mikado
1960 HMS Pinafore
1961 The Gondoliers
1962 Iolanthe
1963 Princess Ida
1964 The Yeomen of the Guard
1965 The Mikado
1966 The Gondoliers
1967 Patience
1968 Pirates of Penzance
1969 Iolanthe
1970 Ruddigore
1971 The Yeomen of the Guard
1972 The Merry Widow
1973 The Maid of the Mountains
1974 The Mikado
1975 Die Fledermaus
1976 Gipsy Queen
1977 The Pirates of Penzance
1978 White Horse Inn
1979 Glorious Gilbert and Sullivan
1980 Lilac Time
1981 The Merry Widow
1982 La Vie Parisienne

Attribution: unknown

View photographs from some of the productions

We have received some photographs from some of the productions which we have included in albums on this page. We also have further details of a couple of the productions, so please do visit the pages for more information.

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images

Strathpeffer » Strathpeffer Environment

01 Peffery Way Logo

The Peffery Way logo showing how the route will follow under the slope of Knockfarrel.

02 Peffery Way

As far as it goes by October 2018. Copyright RCHS,

03 Peffery Way

An explanation of the work so far. Copyright RCHS,

04 Peffery Way

The way back to Strathpeffer Old Station. Copyright RCHS,

05 Peffery Way

Looking towards the end of the one mile of construction. Photo taken c. late 2018 Copyright: RCHS

06 Peffery Way

Passing one of the bridges faithfully reconstructed. Copyright RCHS

07 Peffery Way

1 January 2019 - as far as it goes. A bridge awaited. Copyright RCHS

08 Peffery Way

1 January 2019 - as far as it goes. A bridge awaited. Copyright RCHS

09 Peffery Way

1 January 2019 - Knockfarrel in background. Copyright RCHS

10 Peffery Way

The bridge supports awaiting decking. Photo Taken: 1 January 2019. Copyright RCHS

11 Peffery Way

Looking towards 'the Heights' Photo Taken: 1 January 2019. Copyright RCHS

12 Peffery Way

Looking towards 'the Heights' Photo Taken: 1 January 2019. Copyright RCHS

13 Peffery Way

5 January 2019. The bushes have been burnt and part of the next phase is visible Copyright RCHS

14 Peffery Way

Photo Taken: 5 January 2019. Copyright RCHS

15 Peffery Way

Photo Taken: 5 January 2019. Copyright RCHS

16 Admiring Murdo's Bridge - Peffery Way

A New Year's Day walk on 1 January 2020 gave some members of the Wednesday Walking Group an opportunity to admire Murdo's Bridge (some are camera-shy!). Photo copyright RCHS

17 At the end of the platform at the Old Station is the start of the Peffery Way

At the end of the platform at the Old Station is the start of the Peffery Way (on right) with Knockfarrel in the distance. [Photo: Jane Dewar]

18 Coffee after the Peffery Way walk

Following the walk, the group returned to the Old Station where there was opportunity to have coffee and Christmas leftovers. [Above photos of 1 January 2020: RCHS]

19 Peffery Way

A mist-shrouded Knockfarrel in the distance. Then, on 4 January 2020, the Peffery Way Association held their post-New Year walk. A group of approximately 50 people enjoyed this, although misty weather prevailed. The group set off from Fodderty Cemetery and joined the track (which a local resident described as "the coffin road") leading to the restored section from Fodderty to Dingwall. Photo copyright RCHS

20 Looking across to Achterneed from the Peffery Way

Looking across to Achterneed from the Peffery Way. [Photo: Jane Dewar]

21 Mobility Scooter friendly Peffery Way

Brenda and Jerry Brown. An admirable aspect of the Peffery Way is that anyone using a mobility scooter is not disadvantaged. [Above photos of 1 January 2020: RCHS]

22 Murdo's Bridge" (in Gaelic Drochaid Mhurchaidh) - Peffery Way

The plaque honouring "Murdo" reveals that this is now named "Murdo's Bridge" (in Gaelic Drochaid Mhurchaidh) and the passer-by is urged, in Gaelic and in English, to Walk with the trees and the flowers, the bees and the birds and leave no sign. Bridge built by volunteers of the Peffery Way Association, May 2019. Photo taken 1 January 2020 Copyright RCHS

23 Peffery Way

A New Year's Day walk on 1 January 2020 gave some members of the Wednesday Walking Group an opportunity to admire Murdo's Bridge (some are camera-shy!). Photo copyright RCHS

24 Peffery Way Bridge

The replacement as seen on New Year's Day 1 January 2020. Photo copyright: RCHS

25 Peffery Way

Again on the return journey, the track leading to Dingwall going past Knockbain Farm. Then, on 4 January 2020, the Peffery Way Association held their post-New Year walk. A group of approximately 50 people enjoyed this, although misty weather prevailed. The group set off from Fodderty Cemetery and joined the track (which a local resident described as "the coffin road") leading to the restored section from Fodderty to Dingwall. Photo copyright RCHS

26 Peffery Way

Photograph taken on the return journey showing the bridge on the "coffin road" under which ran the former railway and now the Peffery Way. Then, on 4 January 2020, the Peffery Way Association held their post-New Year walk. A group of approximately 50 people enjoyed this, although misty weather prevailed. The group set off from Fodderty Cemetery and joined the track (which a local resident described as "the coffin road") leading to the restored section from Fodderty to Dingwall. Photo copyright RCHS

27 Bridge over former Railway Line - Peffery Way

Plaque on the bridge over the former railway line, at Fodderty, detailing the history of the line as shown below. The bridge carries the rough track which locals say was known as "the coffin road" and seems entirely possible as the track connects the Lochussie/Knockbain area with Fodderty cemetery. [Photo RCHS]

28 Peffery way

Photo courtesy of Peffery Way Association.

29 Peffery Way Route Map

30 Association map

31 peffrey way continued work since 2020

32 new volunteers

33 enjoying a group walk 2022

34 volunteers at work 2023

35 New Year walk 2023

365 New Year walk 2023

peffery way by railway before

peffrey way

peffrey way after

peffrey way before

peffrey way by railway after

peffrey way sign

volunteers 2022

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images

Unknown Productions

While creating this website we found some photos from the Operatic Society which weren’t associated with any production. If anyone knows which production any of these photos belongs to, please contact us and let us know.