Memories of a life with MacBrayne’s
A new edition of the late Chris Fraser’s autobiography, adapted by his son, former BBC correspondent Kit Fraser, has been published with more rare photographs of MacBrayne’s ferries.
At the heart of Christie Boy is his colourful and amusing description of a 30-year career with the company, its characters and ships.
Christie Boy colourfully recounts a Highland childhood in Sutherland, Strathspey and Lochalsh, and a way of life long gone: strict Sabbath observance, barefoot summers, runaway trains and culprits like The Bear, frisky heifers, and rivers teeming with salmon. Then there is a proud Highland soldier’s war, first with the Seaforths in France and later the Argylls and Commandos.
Kit said: ‘Dad grew up in the West Highlands before spending 30 years with MacBrayne’s. In the course of his career, he served as supply piermaster on Islay and in most of the MacBrayne’s ports.
‘This new edition has many more photographs of historic lifeline ferries to illustrate dad’s tales of the ships and characters among the masters and crews. I have added sections on my own childhood memories of MacBrayne’s, plus a profile of The MacBrayne’s Circle, the enthusiasts who restore and preserve the iconic red, cream and green buses.’
After leaving MacBrayne’s in the 1960s, Chris Fraser was a sub-postmaster in Aviemore as the sleepy former railway junction evolved into its present skiing and outdoor pursuits centre. He and his wife Rena retired to Forres in Moray.