The farm of Riskamain, in the hills above Latheronwheel, Caithness, was abandoned long ago. In recent years the roof has finally given in.
Ordnance Survey map, 1871 [the spelling variations of Riskamain are many, highlighting the fluid nature of language through time]:
A closer view:
The 1871 Ordnance Survey book entry:
Whilst Riskamain is isolated it did have a few neighbours as this 1871 ordnance survey entry reveals:
This map, of the same date, shows the Combination Poorhouse, Jock’s Lodge and the Well of Benachielt:
Wick and Latheron Combination Poorhouse before it was demolished [what remains of it today is used as a sheep pen]:
John o’ Groat Journal, 19th January 1951:
Dundee Courier, 31st January 1951:
John o’ Groat Journal, 2nd February 1951:
Death certificate of John Geddes:
John o’ Groat Journal, 2nd February 1951:
Paisley Express, 10th February 1951:
Paisley Express, 11th February 1951:
One of the last newspaper references of Riskamain, February 1963:
John Geddes, a backdrop:
John Geddes was from Wick. So it is not clear why he was living in 1950 in the isolated farm of Riskamain. It would seem his wife was still living in the family home in Wick, 12 Kennedy Terrace. They had married in October 1914 as World War 1 began. They had one daughter born in January 1915. John Geddes enlisted for the Seaforth Highlanders on the 19th November 1915.
John Geddes was discharged from service on the 3rd May 1917 as a result of being medically unfit: his eyesight was very poor [he was profoundly myopic] and he also had bilateral deafness [from infancy]
Seaforth Highlander papers for John Geddes:
