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Nucleus: The Nuclear and Caithness Archives

Dounreay Householders Handbook

The Dounreay Householders Handbook was issued to everyone who was allocated an ‘atomic house.’ It was a mine of practical information- from how often the chimney must be swept to how often the bins were emptied. It also contained information on local schools, doctor’s surgeries and places of worship, as well as details of local recreational clubs and societies.

The handbook gave detailed advice on growing a garden. It contained instructions for growing a lawn from seed and recommended hedges as effective shelter against Caithness winds. There was also a list of plants that could be successfully grown in Caithness, especially handy for newcomers who were used to a more agreeable climate!

The handbook represents a vivid amalgamation of the social/domestic life of workers and the scientific endeavours of the new science Dounreay brought to Caithness. In the excerpt below Don Ryan talks about the attraction of this ‘new frontier’ up north and the importance of the handbook to arriving ‘Atomics’.

Don Ryan discussing his move to Caithness and the Householders Handbook, recorded 2nd Dec 2011

Blue-toned illustrated cover showing a lighthouse on a cliff projecting a beam with the word ‘Dounreay’ against a starry sky.

Dounreay Householders Handbook front cover, P879/4

Vintage ads from the Dounreay Householders Handbook for Clydesdale Bank, H.B.M. Munro chemist, and Central Café in Thurso, offering banking, pharmacy, and café services.

Dounreay Householders Handbook rear of front cover and page 1, P879/4

Vintage ads for D. & I. Ferrier grocers and William Mackay & Sons butchers in Thurso, alongside a historic town plan of Thurso and foreword.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 2-3, P879/4

Vintage ad for National Commercial Bank of Scotland with photo of two men at a desk, plus housing and rent information text.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 4-5, P879/4

Black-and-white photo of housing estate with curved road, plus text detailing care and maintenance advice for walls, floors, doors, windows, gates, baths, gullies and drains and locks and hinges.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 6-7, P879/4

Illustrated guide on how taps work and steps to re-washer a tap, alongside text on household tips for water, drains, and fireplaces.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 8-9, P879/4

Text on fireplace safety and internal decoration, with illustration of a chimney sweep and guidance on ceilings, walls, and woodwork.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 10-11, P879/4

Illustration of a person wallpapering, a table showing wallpaper piece requirements by wall size, and text with gardening tips and advice.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 12-13, P879/4

Two black-and-white photos showing contrasting garden styles in a housing estate, with text on vegetables, soil preparation, and fertilizers.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 14-15, P879/4

Illustrations of a typical garden shed and greenhouse with dimensions, plus text on fertilizers, lime, and gardening tips, and a cartoon of a man pushing a wheelbarrow.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 16-17, P879/4

Advertisements for Cyril Lord carpets and Alexander Millar shoes, plus text on property use, pet rules, and sub-letting, with a bulldog illustration captioned 'Control your pets!'.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 18-19, P879/4

Black-and-white street map of Pennyland Estate showing curved roads, labeled landmarks including school, chapel, estate office, sports pitches, and railway terminus.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 20-21, P879/4

Map of Mount Vernon Estate labeled U.K.A.E.A. staff housing, with a black-and-white photo of Pennyland Estate houses and text on property access, alterations, and tenancy termination.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 22-23, P879/4

Text on maintenance, electricity, and electrical equipment with a table of fuse sizes and appliance ratings, plus a cartoon showing a person being shocked with caption 'Turn off the Main Switch before repairing a fuse'.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 24-25, P879/4

Text on electric floor heating, thermostats, off-peak tariffs, water heating, and electricity accounts, plus sections on television aerials, telephones, household insurance, and police notes.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 26-27, P879/4

Black-and-white photo of a modern house at Castletown with people outside, plus text on home security, street lighting, earwig control, and garage maintenance.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 28-29, P879/4

Text detailing Thurso Public Library hours, condensation prevention tips, local bus service timetables, and fire precautions for the home.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 30-31, P879/4

Advertisements for J.L. Bews & Sons butchers and W.A. McGregor chemist, alongside text on safe use of electrical and gas appliances, oil stoves, chip pan fire prevention, and emergency fire procedures.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 32-33, P879/4

Two black-and-white photos of housing estates labeled Mount Vernon Estate and Houses at Scrabster, alongside text listing Thurso schools, including technical, secondary, and primary, with admission details.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 34-35, P879/4

Text listing local organizations in Thurso and Caithness, including clubs for bridge, cycling, scouts, guides, sports, drama, music, and youth activities, with meeting times and contact details.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 36-37, P879/4

Text listing local clubs such as mountaineering, golf, drama, and social groups, alongside contact details for doctors, hospital, nurses, places of worship, and useful addresses for Thurso and Caithness.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 38-39, P879/4

Vintage ads for Thurso chemist, bakery, and Wick laundry service offering 3-day dry cleaning and delivery options. From Dounreay Householders Handbook.

Dounreay Householders Handbook pages 40-41, P879/4

Vintage ad for J.W. Ferrier, Calor gas dealer and stockist of Raleigh and Phillips cycles, mopeds, and toys in Thurso. From Dounreay Householders Handbook.

Dounreay Householders Handbook rear cover, P879/4

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