The Photography of Kathleen Lyon

Date Added: 24 April 2008 Year Range: 1930 - 1983 Institution Name: dnhhl Cat No: ◀ | 2001_326_003 | ▶ Picture No: 3688

Scrapbook of photographs taken by Miss Lyon. Page 1 monochrome photo of Miss Lyon as a debutante, with handwritten inscription 'Kathleen J Lyon Born 1885; Died 1983' and a newspaper cutting of her funeral notice. The notice reads: "Lyon – On April 15, 1983, at Cambusavie Hospital, Dornoch, in her 98th year, KATHLEEN JANE LYON, daughter of the late Cdr Lyon R.N. and of the late Mrs Lyon of Ospisdale, Sutherland. Funeral service in Dornoch Cathedral on Monday April 18th at 11.30 a.m. Cremation thereafter private."

Dimensions: Height 170 mm - Width 115 mm

2 Comments

Miss Lyon was an independent character who was deeply interested in the history not only of the Ospisdale estate but of Sutherland and Scotland more generally. When Miss Lyon died she left her books to another local lady with strong historical interests, Rosemary Mackenzie, who had started Tain Museum in 1966. Following Rosemary's death the books went on long term to Tain Museum, where they are now. Rosemary's interest in history had been awakened by Miss Rosa Williamson Ross of Pitcalnie, who was Tain's version of Dornoch's Miss Lyon, and who died unmarried in 1968 at a similarly advanced age (and as Chief of Clan Ross). Both Miss Lyon and Miss Rosa spent years organising and researching their family papers and making copious notes before sending the original documents to the National Archives. Miss Rosa's notebooks are in Tain Museum just as Miss Lyon's are in Historylinks. The death of these ladies marked the end of an era.

Interestingly, Miss Lyon and Miss Rosa were related. In 1837 George Ross of Pitcalnie, Miss Rosa's great uncle, married Catherine Gilchrist of Ospisdale, who as far as I can work out was Miss Lyon's great aunt. Comment left on 26 May 2008 at 23:24 by Estelle Quick

Would you type out what Kathleen's death notice says please as I can't read it. Many thanks. Lori

[The content of the death notice has now been added to the description given above. Hope that you will observe this addition - once again by not leaving your e-mail address to your comment you will not receive the system automatic notification of the result of your comment.] Comment left on 08 February 2012 at 14:29 by loribyn2@skymesh.com.au

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