Memory Lane

Summer 1971

We take the ferry across the sea to Skye in the summer of ’71.

Over the sea to Skye… or Eigg, Muck, Rum, Canna or South Uist. There were several potential destinations for anybody departing by water from Mallaig on this gorgeous Scottish summer’s day. That’s the MV Clansman, in service from 1964 to 1984, waiting to sail. How many of the vehicles here might have been in its belly when it did?

Likely to be more trustworthy than the underpowered and unreliable Clansman is the Volvo 144 heading the parked cars on Davies Brae. We can just see flow-through vents below the rear window, which makes it an almost new 1970-on model. Its bulk conceals its sleeker neighbour, but there’s no mistaking the bright yellow Ford Capri next, which seems to be attracting the attention of the dapper gent strolling by. If that black vinyl roof signified a posh GXL, whose head wouldn’t be turned?

Far north Fourgonnette

Further along are two vehicles perhaps more likely at English channel ports, a Renault 12 and a Fourgonnette van from the same maker. But then we’re back to traditional British fare with a Morris Minor and Hillman Hunter estate.

The Thomas Rae truck is a Ford D-series, with a Morris 1300 MKII and a sunroof-equipped Hillman Imp Californian coupé flanking it. Parked the wrong way down the one-way street are a Ford Transit camper and big-finned Morris Oxford Series V. Or are they just squaring up to the Vauxhall Viva HB and Land Rover Series I or II coming the right way up the road?