In the age of the camera-phones, disposable cameras, and
digital compacts, it is easy to forget that photography was beyond of reach
of many visitors to the Island of Skye until as recently as 40 years ago.
Primitive cameras and primitive access made the capturing of images
challenging.
A randomly selected monochrome postcard. You can
find out more about this and other postcards shown below by visiting
the Extended Gallery at the end of this page.
A randomly selected monochrome postcard. You can
find out more about this and other postcards shown below by visiting
the Extended Gallery at the end of this page.
In those simpler times visitors depended on the picture postcard.
Visitors bought postcards as mementoes of their holiday. These were stored
away in drawers and albums, and when discovered often years later, provoked
pleasant memories of times past. Of course the postcards could also to be
posted to friends and family with complaints about the weather and midges. A
tradition that continues to this day.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the hardy photographers like
Duncan Macpherson,
M.E.M. Donaldson and
Alex H. Hamilton
who ventured out to some of the remotest parts of the highlands and islands with bulky
cameras, heavy tripods and fragile glass photographic plates.
Origin of the Picture Postcard
Postcards first arrived in the United Kingdom around 1870. These were plain
cards produced by the Post Office with pre-paid postage. The price of
sending a postcard was below that of sending a letter so the card became a
popular method of sending short messages. Unlike modern cards, the recipients
address was written on one side of the card and the message on the other.
In 1894 the Post Office allowed other companies to produce postcards but
illustrations were rare because of the continued need to keep one side plain
for the recipients address. The postcard we recognise today dates from 1902
when the Post Office introduced illustrated cards with the message and
address on the same side, divided by a vertical line.
Scotland and the Picture Postcard
Scotland had a part to play in the history and development of the picture postcard
and not just as a rich source of raw material and sales; Scotland
was home to Valentines of Dundee.
This Valentines postcard of Blaven dates from around 1890.
It is an example from their hand coloured "colourtone" series that was popular
before the advent of affordable colour photography. It is also a bad example of the
genre with splodges of green clinging unnaturally to rock.
This Valentines postcard of Blaven dates from around 1890.
It is an example from their hand coloured "colourtone" series that was popular
before the advent of affordable colour photography. It is also a bad example of the
genre with splodges of green clinging unnaturally to rock.
By the 1930s, operating from their
brand new Kingsway factory, Valentines had grown to become one of
the largest publishers of picture postcards in the world. The
decline started in the 1960s with Valentines focusing increasing on
their greetings card business. In 1984, having recently been taken
over by Hallmark Cards, the Dundee factory was closed and
subsequently demolished.
Fortunately in 1971 around 120,000 of
Valentines monochrome photography collection was passed to the
University of St. Andrews where today over 3,000 images from the
collection can be accessed via the Library Photographic Archive
website. Unfortunately, because of Valentines policy of discarding
negatives it is estimated that a further 800,000 or more images have
been lost.
J. B. White of Dundee was established by James Bain White (1865-1947)
in 1892. In 1907 they started producing small numbers of colour postcards
until 1918 and the outbreak of World War I. Production restarted in 1922
with their 'Real Photo' series, many of the photographs having been
taken by James' son, Thomas. The "Best of all" series first appeared
in 1926 and continued to be used on their cards until 1966. In 1963
the company was sold to the first of many new owners who included
Photo Precision and Colourmaster amongst others. The current owner
of J. B. White's assets is
Judges Postcards Ltd.
Isle of Wight based J Arthur Dixon also had a factory in
Scotland at Longman, Inverness. Established in 1956 by Alex H.
Hamilton, the factory lasted until the late 1970s.
Gallery
In the 'summary' postcard gallery below there are approximately 50 assorted black and white and
colour picture postcards of the area around Blaven and
Torrin.
A six-page gallery of information, observations, history and commentary on each of the
postcards below and their history can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
Postcards are rarely dated so it has not been possible to accurately determine the age
of the individual images. If you have any additional information about the
photographer, publisher or date, please
contact me.
"Across the Loch Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Loch Slapin from Torrin village, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Torran (sic) Post Office, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Torrin, Broadford, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torran (sic), Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, Marsco and Glamaig, from Torrin."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torren (sic), Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Torrin village, Skye, looking to Blaven."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Loch Slapin, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Mist on Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, Clach Glas and Lochan Athaine."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"In cool waters, Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"A summer day. Loch Slapin and Blaven."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Uncaptioned postcard."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"The Red Hills from Loch Slapin, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Broadford Hotel and Beinn-na-Cailleach, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Loch-An-Athain, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Ord, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"The winding road by Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"On the shores of Loch Slapin, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Reflections. Loch Slapin and the Red Hills of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"The Red Hills from Loch Slapin. Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Spring snow on Blaven and Clach Glas as seen from Loch Slapin."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Broadford Old Church and Blaven."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Coruisk from Sgurr-nam-Eag, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blavan (sic) and Loch Slapin, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"The white mists of morning sweep over Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from the end of Lock (sic) Kilchrist."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Hart o' Corry."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Marsco and Blaven from Loch Dubh, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Sgurr-nan-Gillean, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Loch Ainort and Blaven, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Loch Slapin, Blaven and Clach Glas."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Mallaig & the Coolin Hills of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Skye Ferry at Mallaig harbour."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Skye hills on the road to Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Ox-eye daisies at Torrin in the Isle of Skye. Blaven (3,042 ft.) in the distance."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"The Cuillin Hills showing Blaven from Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin, Isle of Skye. A dramatic aspect of this familiar view."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"The Cuillin Hills, showing Blaven from Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Cutting the corn of Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin, near Broadford, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, 3,042 feet and Loch Slapin from Torrin."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin near Broadford, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"A view of Blaven."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Isle of Skye - Blaven (3,024 feet) dominates the Shores of Loch Slapin."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Loch Slapin - Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Torrin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven from Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Loch Slapin and Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"The misty Isle of Skye, Blaven and Loch Slapin from above Torrin."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Loch Slapin and Blaven, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Loch Slapin, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven and Clach Ghlas overlooking Loch Slapin."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Broadford Hotel, Isle of Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
"Blaven, Skye."
More information on this postcard can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
Copyright: All of the postcards
reproduced on
blaven.com are believed to be in excess of 50 years old and out of copyright. Due
credit is given to the photographer and publisher where this known or shown on
the original card. Please do not reproduce any of these postcards without
acknowledging the photographer or publisher.
Extended Gallery
A seven-page gallery of information, observations, history and commentary on each of the
postcards above can be found in the extended postcard gallery.
Then and Now
This section allows the easy comparison of a view shown in one of
the postcards above with how that same view appears today. The
then and
now views are overlaid and can be seamlessly faded
between the two. A great deal of care has been taken to ensure that the present day
now photograph is taken from the same location, using
a similar lens focal
length and in similar lighting conditions to that of the original
photographer.