At Airds we have the good fortune to own a number of interesting clocks that can be seen by bed & breakfast guests .  A selection is shown below.

This marine bulkhead clock by Seth Thomas was recently obtained by us.   The clock unusually strikes the marine watch bells, e.g. 2 bells, 4 bells etc.

This classic white dial longcase clock, with 8 day striking movement dates from about 1820 and is typical of its type.  The movement was obtained without a case, so a replacement in traditional style using secondhand British oak made for us by Henry Smith, Tricia's uncle a fine craftsman.   Henry died a short time later in February 2000, but this worthy example of his skills lives on as a tribute to him.

The movement was donated to us by Edward Gregory, Alan's uncle who after a lifetime as a toolmaker, engineer and motor mechanic, took up clock & watch repairs as a hobby and subsequently became a qualified repairer specialising in antique clocks & watches.   Though now in his mid 80's and long retired, Ted,  who now lives with us at Airds,  is still occasionally asked for assistance by people for whom he has worked in the past and who have  come to value highly the special skills he possesses.    Despite his age, the effects of arthritis, and other age-related impairments Ted can still strip and reassemble a ladies watch in a manner that would put the clumsy efforts of most much younger people to shame.

This ex-GPO timepiece was obtained as scrap from the then General Post Office stores depot at Kidbrooke in the early 1970's for the princely sum of 50p.    Suffering slight smoke damage from a house fire we suffered some years later, the case  was restored under insurance.   An example of a nine inch GPO office clock, many of which were in use in the London headquarters region up to that time the dial displays the crown logo GR showing its date of manufacture as pre 1952.   These fine 8 day movement wall timepieces are now highly valued and a price in excess of £300 would not be unexpected.   Alan has a further 2 ex GPO clock in store awaiting time for restoration and display

A few more examples of clocks from our extensive collection are shown below.   Click on the thumbnail for a larger picture.

 

 

 

 

This page is provided for information and interest to visitors to the AIRDS FARM GUESTHOUSE WEBSITE.   Airds Farm offers comfortable bed and breakfast and self-catering accommodation for visitors to Dumfries & Galloway in south west Scotland.   For information on accommodation please visit our Bed and breakfast page or for self-catering our Airdside self-catered cottage page.   Our homepage is Airds Farm.