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 History » Strathpeffer Events » Strathpeffer Heights Heritage Exhibition Sept 2001 » Strathpeffer Heights Heritage Places

The great storm of January 1978. Alex John Maclennan's croft

Angus's new house

Angus Mackenzie and Paul Major building the wall on the front of Angus's new house. The wall is made of whinstone and granite.

Angus Mackenzie, Paul Major, at work.

Angus Mackenzie, Paul Major, at work. The house is built on the site of John Munro's house which was here in the early 1900's - known as Westermost Croft - the first or last house in the 'street'.

Autumn view of Saunders Campbell's pond

Autumn view of Saunders Campbell's pond from the road near Betty Mackenzie's croft, looking towards the Black Isle.

An Army camp, possibly 1939

An Army camp, possibly 1939. This photograph must have been taken from the top of Knockfarrel as the Dingwall-Strathpeffer road can be seen in the background.

Dochcairn before 1913.

Duran Cottage - one scene

Four scenes of Duran.

Duran Cottage - second scene

Four scenes of Duran.

Duran and a horse - third scene

Four scenes of Duran.

Duran - fourth scene

Four scenes of Duran.

Fanny Campbell at her home.

Hillcrest 1956.

Glenburn

Mrs Campbell at the front door of Glenburn.

The kitchen

Mrs Campbell at the livingroom fire.

"Granny Campbell", otherwise Mrs Jessie McKay Campbell,

Mrs Morling has also supplied this photograph of "Granny Campbell", otherwise Mrs Jessie McKay Campbell, mother of Christine (above) and George and Simon (below).

Jock the Glen's house

Caisteal Gorach, the Foolish Castle,

Visitors to Dingwall often ask about what seems to be the ruins of a castle on Tulloch Hill, beside Ben Wyvis. Caisteal Gorach, the Foolish Castle, was never lived in - it is a folly built to look like a ruin. Henry Davidson, an 18th century laird of Tulloch, provided work for labourers by building the roofless doorless castle. It is said he did not want any large houses on his estate other than Tulloch Castle - and Caisteal Gorach is not exactly a prime residential site. It is 1000ft above sea level and no road has ever led there. Generations of Dingwall folk have made the arduous climb to picnic at the castle and enjoy the view over six countries.

Sgt. John Wood who spotted Jockan's house from the rescue helicopter

"Jockan" Macritchie's house during the 1978 storm.

"Jockan" Macritchie's house after the great storm of January 1978

Mary Mackenzie

Mary Mackenzie outside the house which was there before Roy's house. William was next door. When William died Mary moved into William's house.

Munro's Posting Establishment motor garage, Strathpeffer - now Spa Motors?

Roddy Munro, Davy Munro, Johnnie Mackenzie and Kenny Urquhart.

Donnie Mackenzie's house when thatched (1915). Donnie's granny at the door.

Simon Campbell (left) and George Campbell (right).

Simon Campbell (left) and George Campbell (right). Photograph courtesy of their nephew, John Rich, Petersham, Australia. For more information please see the War Records area of our website.

Winter view of Saunders Campbell's pond

Winter view of Saunders Campbell's pond from the road near Betty Mackenzie's croft, looking towards the Black Isle.

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.