Adam and Eve at Blackstand Bothy

Date Added: 19 February 2007 Contributor: Heritage North Year of Photo: 1955 Picture No: 57

Partially uncovered mural of Adam and Eve at the Blackstand Bothy.

Blackstand, now in the possession of the McKeggie family, was a RAF landing strip during World War II. At the end of the war it was bought by the Forestry Commission for use as a nursery and bothy for migrant workers. It became of interest due to the murals painted by two of the foresters, the Hood brothers, whilst stationed there.. Whilst they have been neglected and some have been painted over, they remain a cultural curiosity, and part of an unfolding story.
Thanks to the McKeggies for the help in our research.

Groups: Buildings in Forests, Recreation Activities and Art in the Forest

6 Comments

Unfortunately credit for the murals is wrongly given to the Hood brothers. Were there ever HOODS at Blackstand? I doubt it.
The artists were the NOON brothers, Frank being one but the name of the other escapes me at the moment.
They were truly finely skilled in art being involved in such business before taking an outside occupation with the Forestry Commission at the Millbuie Forest. Comment left on 19 January 2010 at 12:11 by Donnie Williamson

Blackstand artists were the Noon brothers, Frank being one and the other possibly Percy but I am unsure. They were splendid lads and extremely skillful. They had joined the Forestry Commission, Blackstand, later in Cannich, to engage in outdoor work.
Comment left on 19 January 2010 at 13:00 by Donnie Williamson

The two brothers who painted the murals were Percy and Frank Noon not Hood.I have a portrait of me at 7years old painted by Percy they were originally from Edinburgh My mother Ivy MacDonald ( later MacKinnon ) was the camp cook Comment left on 21 August 2012 at 16:34 by Padric MacDonald

Thank you Padric. I knew your mother when she catered for the Millbuie Forest employees residing at the F.C.Blackstand Bothy. It was there that Percy (thank you for reminding of the name) and brother Frank adorned the bothy walls with such marvelous paintings, works of art every one. It is a great pity that all of their creations could not be preserved intact when still in good condition. They were skillful artists and for Coronation year tree and shrub plantings carried out by children they made beautiful very colourful wooden labels for every child at Millbuie and also at Killen which happened to be my own homeland. Comment left on 23 August 2012 at 20:50 by Donnie Williamson

I wonder if any of the local art groups or heritage groups are aware of the paintings ? Comment left on 24 August 2012 at 15:52 by Padric MacDonald

I well remember Percy Noon I had the room next to him in Cannich Bothy. He was a quiet, kindly man and painted many scenes around Cannich. Many of his small paintings are surely to be found in the homes in and around Strathglass.
Dr. Alexander Robertson Comment left on 03 February 2015 at 00:20 by

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