Life in the Raws

This book is the life story of John 'Jock' Findlay, rediscovered by his grandson Neil Findlay MSP after finding Jock's writing on the back of a plywood bath panel. Pumpherston village in Scotland, built by Pumpherston Oil Company in 1884, was home to the brave shale oil workers who faced life threatening conditions. In Life in the Raws the life of 'a proud, good, clever working class man' is revealed from 1919 to 1994 spanning almost a whole century of Scottish history. It presents the story of one man's life as well as the history of a unique Scottish village and its community and culture.

John 'Jock' Findlay was born in 1915, the youngest of a family of six. His eldest sister, Elizabeth, died in infancy. He went to school in Pumpherston and then went on to serve an apprenticeship as a plumber and lead burner with the Pumpherston Oil Company. He married Helen 'Lena' Johnston and the couple had twin boys, Ian and Leonard. After the war, he spent time working in the Middle East in the newly developing oil industry. Not long after he returned he lost his leg in a road accident. Undeterred by this, he worked at his trade up until his retirement. Jock was a skilled craftsman and enjoyed making and fixing things and working around the house and garden. He enjoyed travelling, reading, the odd bet on a horse and a nice glass of whisky. He is survived by his son Leonard, who still lives in Pumpherston.