Richard Souter

Richard Souter left school in 1926 at the age of 15. The year of the general strike. Richard went to sea immediately upon leaving school and joined the crew of the ‘Orcadia’. Richard took up the position, as did all young boys, as the ship’s cook.

Orcadia was a sail boat of ‘Fifie’ design but following the development of the steam drifter, Richard spent the majority of his years at sea serving on these steam powered vessels. Richard describes his living and working conditions in great detail and paints a vivid picture of what it was like to be a fisherman.

The original interview was carried out in 1988. The interview has been voiced by the ‘Buckie Blethers’ in local dialect.