To Harry, on the Revenge, Provost MacKay, of Thurso, sent the following message:
“The people of Thurso heartily rejoice over your and Mackenzie-Grieve’s safety, which is surely as wonderful as your pluck. May I have the pleasure of meeting you and any others at Scrabster (Port of Thurso) to-morrow and providing luncheon before the departure of the afternoon train or of assisting you in any way?”
The progress of Harry and Grieve to London was nothing short of triumphal and an experience in itself, apart from the actual flight accomplished. After leaving Thurso, at Bonar Bridge station they met with a rousing reception. The people there had turned out en masse, and two pipers, McBain and Macdonald, played soul-stirring strains while the crowd cheered and cheered again. As the train stopped, the folks swarmed round the carriage door and Harry and Grieve shook hands with as many as possible. There were several telegrams awaiting them at this remote little station, an augury of what they might expect nearer home. They took in a tea-basket here.
At Tain the excitement took a similar form. Here a council meeting was specially adjourned, and the councillors proceeded to the station to meet the train. Provost Maitland delivered a brief congratulatory message. Harry’s radiant smile thoroughly captivated the people, who cheered to the echo as the train passed out.
Similar expressions of the public joy occurred at every station between Thurso and Inverness. At Brora most of the population, including the school-children, were on the platform, and loud cheers greeted the arrival and departure. At Invergordon the crowds on both sides of the train were particularly large, and unbounded enthusiasm prevailed. At Alness they were acclaimed by pipers, amid cheers. At Dingwall and Beauly similar warm-hearted acclamations were offered.
At several places en route ladies offered bouquets, and by the time the train reached Inverness Harry’s compartment was rich in the perfume of the lily of the valley.
There were many incidents of human interest on the journey. At one point far up North Harry noticed a woman and her two kiddies waving at the train from the door of a crofter’s cottage on the hillside. He and Grieve both responded by waving their handkerchiefs until they were out of sight. At some of the stations children came shyly forward to shake hands and say, “Good luck.” Some were more bold, and said, “You will do it yet.” Harry was completely won by the warmth of the Highland welcome, and remarked later, “What fine people!”
As the train came over the bridge into Inverness, the siren of a vessel in harbour heralded their arrival. The station and the vicinity were occupied by enormous crowds, and it was with the utmost difficulty that Harry and Grieve were able to get, or rather be got, to the Station Hotel. Speaking from the main staircase of the hotel, Provost Macdonald, on behalf of the people of Inverness, said:
“We congratulate you very heartily on your brave attempt to cross the Atlantic and more particularly on the marvellous escape you have had. In 1913, when you, Mr. Hawker, passed Inverness, you did not give us much of a chance of welcoming you, but we now have the chance, and give you a real Highland welcome. We are delighted to see you, and to congratulate you on your wonderful attempt to cross the Atlantic. We are glad to know that you live to fly another day, and I hope that before long you will win that great prize offered by the Daily Mail. The proprietors of that newspaper have done a generous and patriotic action in stimulating aviation—one that deserves the congratulations of the whole country. We are all delighted to have you and Commander Grieve with us. I hope that after you have had a needed rest you will have another try at the Transatlantic flight, and, if you do, you will have the best wishes of the people of Inverness that your second attempt will be successful. I call for three cheers for Mr. Hawker and Commander Grieve, and three more for Mrs. Hawker, who has never lost faith in her husband’s safety.”