Dublin Core
Title
Pentland Venture
Description
In the late 60's, Ian Thomas and his wife Sheila, who live in Brough, saw the potential for a business opportunity to run a ferry from John O'Groats to Orkney. The fact that Sheila came from Orkney probably had some bearing on the plan.
In 1971 they bought the 8 seater speed boat, 'Pentland Atom', launched it at Brough Harbour and sailed to John O'Groats for the summer season, and the project started. At the beginning, Ian was working as a chemist at UKAEA and Sheila as a Nurse. With 4 children, David, Ivor, Debbie and Valerie, they had their hands full.
Next they brought the "Pentland Spray" in to service, this carried 12 passengers, followed by the 'Souters Lass' in 1975, and then the 'Pentland Venture' in 1987; In 1991 they had the length increased by 21ft, which enabled them to carry 250 passengers. Sadly Ian died in 1996.
Sheila still runs the business, with the whole family involved.
In 1971 they bought the 8 seater speed boat, 'Pentland Atom', launched it at Brough Harbour and sailed to John O'Groats for the summer season, and the project started. At the beginning, Ian was working as a chemist at UKAEA and Sheila as a Nurse. With 4 children, David, Ivor, Debbie and Valerie, they had their hands full.
Next they brought the "Pentland Spray" in to service, this carried 12 passengers, followed by the 'Souters Lass' in 1975, and then the 'Pentland Venture' in 1987; In 1991 they had the length increased by 21ft, which enabled them to carry 250 passengers. Sadly Ian died in 1996.
Sheila still runs the business, with the whole family involved.