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There are 163 images in our collection which match the category of Places. Please select a photo to view it in more detail and to read comments from other visitors.

Showing 163 photos.

Postcard of Balintore, looking towards Nigg hill, from a collection of postcards and photos by Marian Ross

Balintore & Nigg Hill, Ross-Shire

1950

Postcard of Balintore, looking towards Nigg hill, from a collection of postcards and photos by Marian Ross

Balintore & Nigg Hill, Ross-Shire

1950

Postcard of Balintore, looking towards Nigg hill, from a collection of postcards and photos by Marian Ross

Balintore & Nigg Hill, Ross-Shire

1950

Postcard of Balintore, looking towards Nigg hill, from a collection of postcards and photos by Marian Ross

Balintore & Nigg Hill, Ross-Shire

1950

Postcard of Balintore, looking towards Nigg hill, from a collection of postcards and photos by Marian Ross

Balintore

1950

Black and white photograph of two adjacent shops, with door to the house above in between. The shop on the left has

Wholesale and retail Grant and Co Grocers and Tea Merchants

1910

A colour photograph of the old dairy located on the seafront. Invergordon. It was demolished in 1978/9.

Old Dairy Invergordon

1971 (1 comments)

A postcard of Tarbat House near Milton in Ross-shire, the house is now unfortunately in ruins. The postcard is part of a collection of over one hundred images donated to the museum during our Saving Easter Ross images project.

Tarbat House

1910 (1 comments)

Photo taken from the town side of the Alexandra Suspension Bridge on 4th November 2015. Just as the refurbishment neared completion.

Refurbishment of Alexandra Suspension Bridge

2015

The photo was taken from upriver of the Alexandra Suspension Bridge on 4th November 2015. Just as the refurbishment neared completion.

Refurbishment of Alexandra Suspension Bridge

2015

Photo taken from the town side of the Alexandra Suspension Bridge on 4th November 2015. Just as the refurbishment neared completion. The main suspension cables were apparently reused except for the four lengths that ran over the tower saddles. The new sections are between the connectors.

Refurbishment of Alexandra Suspension Bridge

2015

Photo taken of the town side tower bace of the Alexandra Suspension Bridge on 4th November 2015. Just as the refurbishment neared completion.

Refurbishment of Alexandra Suspension Bridge

2015

Alexandra Suspension Bridge on 4th November 2015. Just as the refurbishment neared completion.
This is a piece of cable that used to pass over one of the tower top saddles. It looks in good nick for cable that has be out in the elements for over a hundred years. But according to one of the bridge workers it's condition is one of the things that triggered the need for a refurb.

Refurbishment of Alexandra Suspension Bridge

2015

Sepia photograph of what appears to be celebration by workmen and families of the building of Crown Hotel, Tain. (Perhaps completion). Several men are holding bottles and glasses and there are barrels on tap.

Crown Hotel, King Street

1890

Black and white view of Tain Manse Street looking towards the United Free Church. Tree foliage on left side and rows of houses on the right. Small group of children playing in street.

Manse Street

1910 (1 comments)

Post card of Fearn from around the 1900's, believed to be School Street. Notice the thatched roofs and the lack of shoes.

School Street, Fearn

1900

One of a series of postcards produced by William Smith in the last quarter of the 19th century. The foreground shows the garden of the British Linen Bank in Tower Street. The main part of the building is now a private house, although the Bank of Scotland retains a small branch office there. The front garden has been turned into the bank car park. Two buildings can be seen in the background. The turret on the left is part of the Royal Hotel, built in French Gothic style by Andrew Maitland & Sons in 1872. The gable beside it is the frontage of the renaissance Town Hall, also by Andrew Maitland & Sons and built in 1874/5. This building later became a cinema and is now derelict.

British Linen Bank in Tower Street

1900

Here is a picture of King Street taken in the 1890's after a heavy fall of snow. If look closely you can see cart tracks in the snow.

King Street in the snow

2015

The 1902 Alexandra Suspension Bridge. Photo taken from the east in June 2009.

Alexandra Suspension Bridge

2015

Plaque on one of the main towers of the 1902 Alexandra Suspension Bridge. Photo taken June 2009.

Alexandra Suspension Bridge plaque

2015

The 1902 Alexandra Suspension Bridge. Photo taken from the west in June 2009

Alexandra Suspension Bridge and Summer House

2015 (3 comments)

Glenmorangie House Cadboll c 1933.My grandfather,Donald Munro, worked as a ploughman at Cadboll and for a time lived with his wife Helen (nee Bethune) in one of the cottages attached to Glenmorangie House. This photo shows his 3 children, Jack, Helen and my father Donald (DG)sitting outside the house wall. The boys don't look too happy in their Sunday Best!!

Munro children, Cadboll, 1933

1933 (3 comments)

Pupils being shown the skeleton of a bird by their teacher in a classroom in the old Tain Royal Academy. Late 1950s or early 1960s?

TRA1- science class

1960 (3 comments)

The photo is of the staff of Ardgay Post Office (Ardgay1) taken around 1906 just after the building was completed. The original Post Office in the village was situated at the Poplars Farm.
As far as we know the staff are as follows:
Back row left to right: Mr Ellis (local businessman at the time and owner of the PO and other new buildings in the village), David Ross (by-name - Collins), Donald MacGregor (Daisybank), 'Humpy' Duff, Hugh Ross (Ivy Cottage), Tom Ross (Ardgay Hill), Robert Ross (Oldtown-brother of Hugh), John and Bob Macgregor (Oldtown), Willie Ross (Airdens), Mr E.Taylor (Postmaster)
Front row: Miss Maclean (later became Mrs Tommy Matheson), Mrs Ellis, Miss Catherine M. MacDonald (later became Mrs Polson)

David Ross; the old postman with the white beard and stick; originally walked from Ardgay Post Office to Skibo Castle with Andrew Carnegie's mail!!

Ardgay Post Office c.1906

1906

This is Ardgay village taken around 1916. It shows the Balnagown Arms Hotel with the old village hall and smiddy behind it. On the right of the photo are the two buildings from picture no. 454 and 457.The hotel was originally a farm house until it was converted about 1814/15 as an increasing number of travellers would have been using the newly opened bridge at Bonar (1812).

Balnagown Arms Hotel, Ardgay.

1916 (3 comments)

This photo of the Grocer's shop James Ellis and Co. was taken just after the building was completed in around 1904/05 and you can see the rubble in the lower right hand corner of the photograph where the Post Office is being built. I'm afraid I don't know the names of anyone this time.

James Ellis & Co. General Merchants, Ardgay

1905

This view of Chapel Road from the foot of Castle Brae shows St Duthus Villa in the middle background. The open space in front of it was developed as an Environmental ('wild') Garden a number of years ago. At the middle left is Catherine House and opposite on the right, projecting out, is Outram House. The building on the left foreground is Orchard House/Cottage (see also Picture #159), no longer existing but stood roughly where the little triangle is today.

Chapel Road, Tain

1940 (1 comments)

This picture was taken at harvest time on one of the Arabella holdings in 1946. Mrs Jean Macdonald (nee Ross) is seen with her sister Molly (married name Ferguson) to her left , her daughter Margaret (later Macleod) on her right and surrounded by a group of prisoners of war who were helping with the harvesting. In 1919 the Land Settlement (Scotland) Act extended the powers of the Scottish Board of Agriculture & Fisheries so they could buy farms and divide them as appropriate into small holdings which returning forces men could take up. This led to the sub-division of some former large farms, including in Easter Ross, in the 1920s & 1930s. The Arabella small holdings were part of this scheme. Other places in Easter Ross where Dept. of Agriculture small holdings were created were - the Arboll area near Inver; and an area near Fearn.Local resident Ian Wallace and Tain & District Museum are currently working on a project about the Arabella area in general and the holdings in particular. If anyone has any information about these or any other similar holdings in Easter Ross please contact us at info@tainmuseum.org.uk

POWs helping at Arabella

1946 (1 comments)

We believe this picture of a float was constucted by the Tain Scouts as part of the Tain Carnival of c1946/7. They are obviously making a social/political commentary. In the background is the old Co-op stores at the top of King Street, now occupied by Mr. Shafi's drapery business. Attached to this building on the left we can see the old bakehouse now long gone. This bakehouse was, among others, owned at one time by James Robertson, baker, who was Provost of Tain 1921-24. The last private baker to use it was Alexander before it was taken over by the Co-op.

Scout's Float, Tain Carnival, 1946/7

1946 (1 comments)

John Mackay (1842-1913), seen in the garden of his home at Harfield House in 1909, was, we believe, a Road Surveyor in Tain. He also previously lived at Aldie House.

John Mackay, Hartfield House

1909

This picture shows the Governor and Matron (Mr & Mrs John Fraser) and two other staff outside the central house around which the Easter Ross Union Poorhousewas built. It was completed in 1850. ( Prior to the the 1843 Scottish Poor Law, Parochial Boards had organised poor relief and made decisions as to who received it and how much.) Staff consisted of a Governor, a Matron, and Medical Officers and Servants. The number of the latter two varied. Most of the food, an entirely vegetarian diet was grown on land (eventually amounting to 21 acres) owned by the Easter Ross Union. This part is now a private home and the rest of the buildings have been demolished. See also Picture #407

Easter Ross union Poorhouse (Arthurville)

1910 (2 comments)

Another picture from the Easter Ross Union Poorhouse - see also Picture #406 Our information says c 1910 but this may be an earlier photograph. It shows a row of staff at the back with some of the residents in the two front rows. The number of inmates rose from about 32 at the 1841 Census to 78 by the 1891 census going down again to about 40 in 1901. As can be seen, residents varied in age from babes in arms up to 70+. Sometimes there were whole families staying there at a time and there might be up to about a dozen or more of school age. They came mainly from the parishes of Easter Ross but occasionally from further afield. On later death certificates (1920s) the address is given as 20 Scotsburn Road instead of the Easter Ross Union Poorhouse.

Arthurville (Poorhouse) Residents

1910 (3 comments)

This dramatic picture shows Neil D Forbes' garage going up in flames c1950, perhaps earlier. Given the close proximity of the petrol pumps the consequences could have been very serious. It was situated near the foot of Scotsburn Road and part of the concrete base on which the pumps stood can still be seen beside the pavement where the flower bed is close by.
The picture also shows part of the wall which surrounded

Garage Fire, Scotsburn Road

1950 (3 comments)

In the Aldie Burn forest area a few hundred yards north of the ruins of Culpleasant and off the track leading to the ruin of Causewayend (GR 742798), a small granite gravestone bears the following inscription –

GEORDIE/ THE FAITHFUL FRIEND AND COMPANION/ FOR ELEVEN YEARS OF JOHN DEWAR/ KILLED BY A ROAD HOG NEAR PERTH/ 9TH AUG. 1928/ SERVED WITH THE 3RD BAT. THE CAMERONIANS/ 1917-18 For further information about John Dewar see Picture #297

Geordie's Grave

2008

This large granite boulder lies near Glenmorangie Distillery on the left hand side of the A9 road going north from Tain. It had been carried to this spot during the Ice Age and left behind when the ice melted. As you can see, it bears the inscription,

The Walter Scott Stone, Morangie, Tain

Date unknown (2 comments)

It is not clear whether some kind of market is being held or a public meeting of some kind but the photo shows what the old market place was like. The arched and wooden gated market stalls or stances in the background used to be rented mainly by merchants, such as the Grocers, John Gallie & Co, who had other shop premises in the town, presumably to benefit from the custom of those attending the markets. These stalls were converted in more recent times and are now

The Old Market Place, Tain

Date unknown

This photo of Balnagown staff was taken in 1890 with part of the castle as a backdrop. it shows 3 footmen , 8 housemaids, the head Housekeeper, Mrs Barogain (far left), and the Butler Mr James Allan (far right). The photo was donated to the museum by Mrs Cleverley, Alness, daughter of the Butler.

Staff in front of Balnagown Castle

1890 (4 comments)

Lealty House was opposite Ardross Castle and was occupied by the Munro family till 1848, when they agreed to exchange it for Rockfield, near Portmahomack at the request of Sir Alex. Matheson of Ardross, presumably because he did not want anyone living in such close proximity to the castle. This photo was taken in !921 when members of the Munro family were revisiting their old home. By 1985 it had no roof and the fairly extensive adjoining steadings had been destroyed. See also Picture #192 - Finlay Munro and the Lealty Stone

Lealty House

1921 (3 comments)

This hand tinted Post Card image chooses to illustrate the practice in earlier times of women in the Highlands using a local stream or river to wash the family clothes. Wooden tubs were filled with water from the stream and the clothes or blankets were trampled on with bare feet. (See Picture #385). No doubt this was deemed quaint and therefore a subject likely to induce visitors to purchase the Post Card.

Modern parents might be a bit more fearful of taking their children so near such a seemingly powerful flowing body of water.

Highland Washing, Alness

Date unknown

The above watercolour was probably painted sometime during the 1920-30s, possibly by a pupil or teacher of the then Royal Academy of Tain as the contributor's aunt was an Art teacher there during the period c1915-45. If anyone knows anything about this picture, in particular the person (C Johnston) who painted it, please get in touch.

Watercolour from Tain by C Johnston

1925 (2 comments)

This Jerome Ltd post card shows Culpleasant house when it was still a substantial building. The bridge is still there but the foundations of the house are now enculfed in trees. The road that passed the house and went over the bridge led to the water springs which were the source of Tain's water from the later 19th well into the 20th century. See also Picture #198

Culpleasant House, still standing

1940 (2 comments)

This photo shows Tarlogie House probably when it belonged to Hugh Rose of Glastullich (later known as Hugh Ross of Cromarty). It was obviously taken on some public occasion but what, is not immediately clear. There appears to be a long trestle or table covered with a white cloth and surrounded by wooden benches in the bottom right hand corner.

Tarlogie House, early 19th Century

1820 (1 comments)

This is the structure that was built to replace the original bridge swept away by a flood in 1892. (See Picture #41). It in turn was relaced by the current bridge.

Old Bonar Bridge 2

Date unknown (1 comments)

This plan of the former Collegiate Church but then the Parish Church of Tain was drawn by James Shand, a teacher in Tain. It shows all the additions made in the years following the Reformation. On the south wall he has marked part of the foundations of a transept or porch. The mark where the roof of this joined the main wall of the church can still be seen. Also on this wall are two chapels. At the south east corner is the

Plan of St Duthus Church, 1815

1815

This striking aerial view of Edderton Church and its immediate surroundings is looking east towards Tain with Bridge Cottage on the opposite side of the road..

Edderton Church

Date unknown (1 comments)

This picture shows what Invergordon High Street looked like around 1900. Apart from the absence of traffic and street furniture it looks basically the same today. No issues about parking on the High Street in those days though!

Invergordon High Street

1900

The railway reached Tain in 1864. Tain station used to be a very busy place and employed c30 people in its heyday. It had several sidings, sheds, a water tank and a turntable but is now unmanned.
Most of Tain’s provisions arrived by rail. Before motor vehicles became more available horses and carts were used to transport the goods from the station.
This picture shows the station in the 1960's when it was still manned.
Picture courtesy of the Scottish Field magazine.

Tain Station c1960

1960 (5 comments)

This picture shows butter being made at Tarrel using a hand operated churn. At one time most farms would have their own dairy and use their own milk to make butter for the household. We have no date for this photo but it possibly dates to sometime between the wars.

Butter making

1930 (5 comments)

This is one of several views we have of the house owned by the Anderson family in South Bonar. The Andersons owned a sawmill, the pier, local fishings and held land in the area. This picture shows Mrs Anderson with her daughter Mina who became Mrs Fergus McLeod of the Balnagown Arms in Ardgay. See Picture #55

Anderson's House, South Bonar

Date unknown (5 comments)

The Grove is situated off Cunarder Lane (which links the High Street and Kirksheaf Road). This picture was taken before part of the grounds were used for the existing Post Office car park. It is currently owned by the Arthur family. Shona Arthur's father, Alex Macleod (

The Grove, Tain

Date unknown (23 comments)

We think this picture dates to 1914-15. The sign says

Williamson's Show Rooms, Petley Place, Tain

1914 (22 comments)

Rev. MacAlpine (left) and Rev. Kinsella conducting a Dedication Service on the opening of the New St Duthus Cemetery, adjacent to the bowling green. Also in the picture are Provost George Cameron and Councillor George Ferguson who himself later became Provost. On the right, with his back to the camera, is Angus Macleod, reporter.

New St. Duthus Cemetery, Dedication

1962 (2 comments)

Peter Alexander Cameron Mackenzie became the Count de Serra Largo. After coming to Tain, he lived in Tarlogie House and both he and his wife took an active part in the life of the Tain area. They are seen here with their children - Cecil, Percy, Lionel, Raoul, Zsa Zsa, Maimie and Edward. This is one of a number of photocopies from the family album given to the museum by a grandson of the Count.

Count de Serra Largo & Family, Tarlogie

Date unknown (6 comments)

The only information we have about this well is what is said on the front of the post card on which it appears i.e.

Dr Aird's Well, Kilmuir Easter

Date unknown (4 comments)

This map (with west at the top) was drawn by Alexander Sangster in about 1750 to show the boundaries of the Tain burgh lands, during a dispute between the town and Roderick Macleod of Cadboll, who was accused of

1750 map of Tain

1800 (1 comments)

This historic building was situated between the bottom of Hill Street and Well Street. It was reputed to have been built during the reign of James II (1437-1450) and the residence of one of the early clerical provosts of Tain. The Marquis of Montrose spent the night in this building on his way to execution in Edinburgh after his capture at the battle of Carbisdale in 1650. Incredibly, this building was demolished in 1940 despite the valiant efforts of Provost William Ross to save it.

The Ark

1930 (2 comments)

We have no actual date for this line-up of four horsemen with their cart load of logs. It could possibly be the 1930's or even later. The rolling stock behind the carts includes 5 open trucks, a cattle truck, a closed van, a gurrd's van and one passenger coach. In the middle background is the slaughter house. The names John Ross, carter, and Davie Cowie are written on the back of this photgraph but with no indication where they are positioned.

Goods yard, Tain Station

1935

Tain Silver Band

Tain Silver Band, 1946

1946

Spinningdale cotton mill, situated on the North shore of the Dornoch Firth was built in 1792 by George Dempster (owner of Skibo Estate) and David Dale, the successful industrialist and entrepreneur, who had already established a cotton mill complex along with Robert Owen at New Lanark. Although the site offered most of the usual requirements of a cotton mill - fast flowing burn for water power, climate damp enough to prevent cotton threads breaking, a means of importing the raw cotton, in this case by sea - the main reason for locating the factory here was to relieve poverty and unemployment.

Ironically, problems with the labour force was the main reason it was not successful. There was no tradition of factory work in the Highlands and workers absented themselves at lambing, peat cutting and harvesting times. Thus, when the building was gutted by fire in 1806, it was not deemed worthwhile to rebuild it and it remained a ruin. It is now in a precarious state so best viewed from the road.

Old Mill, Spinningdale

1900 (4 comments)

This view from the shore shows a Territorial Army (affectionately known as the

"Terrier Camp" on the Links, Tain

Date unknown

This post card picture by C W Ross. Tain, is one of several showing youngsters bathing/swimming at a deep bend in Tain River or off the banks along the shore before erosion wore them back too far from high tide. The spot on the river was known as the

Big Boys' Hole, Tain

Date unknown (6 comments)

Pat Swanson thinks this ph0to showing Benny Bremner sprinkling slipperine on the floor in preparation for the Nigg Badminton Club Dance, was taken c1963. For those not familiar with the practice, slipperine was, as the name suggests, used to make the dance floor slippy. The art was to sprinkle sufficient to allow the dancers to glide across the floor but not too much as to be dangerous.

Benny Bremner, Nigg

1963 (5 comments)

An early photo of Scotsburn lodge in Scotsburn Road. The gentleman standing at the doorway is John Gallie.

Scotsburn Lodge c 1907

1907

This is a lovely photo of a group of barefooted boys playing about in the garden of a large house, possibly Balnagown Castle, and being closely observed by a passing family or staff member. The picture doesn't have the photographer's name on it but it may have been taken by William Smith. As well as being Tain's photographer and stationer, he also started a Ragged Sabbath School in 1858 and was involved in running it for many years. The pupils were occasionally invited to Balnagown for tea as a treat.

Children's games

1890 (2 comments)

Photo of a smartly dressed young man leaning against a boat while lighting his cigarette. Location unknown - possibly west coast? Unfortunately the registration letters on the boat are illegible. This is one of several photos of the same occasion, which seems to have been an outing with a lady friend.

Young man by boat

1900

Relatively recent photo of a cottage with an Easter Ross look. But where is it?

Town cottage

1970 (8 comments)

The gateway to a tree-lined drive, the arch over the gate bearing a sign saying

Decorated entrance gate

1901

Small boats in a large harbour. Industrial buildings and low hills visible in the background. We have no idea where this is and the date is a guess.

Boats in a harbour

1950

This was sent as a postcard to Mrs Manson, then resident at the lodge, by Mrs & Mrs Hickman, Wolverhampton.

Kinlochewe Lodge

1920

This charming old view of Bonar Bridge from Invercharron has the number

Bonar Bridge

Date unknown (1 comments)

All the buildings shown in this picture have now gone. The long low building was a garage owned by brothers called Urquhart (Ken & Hector?). Immediately above this is the Mansfield Farm steading and farm workers houses beyond that. The wall to the right of the garage is the beginning of Ross the Dairy's property, the last one at the foot of Scotsburn Road. The whole area is now occupied by Scotsburn Court sheltered housing, Tain Health Centre and a car park.

Scotsburn Road, Tain, pre-WWII

1935 (4 comments)

This picture is one of 16 views in an album entitled

Rockfield Village

Date unknown

The house on the left hand side of this view of Castle Brae, possibly belonging to a Miss Ross, was later taken over by St Duthus Press but has now been demolished. The Building which was later to become a shoe shop, then Wallace & Fraser and is currently Brown's Art Gallery, was according to the small notice above the door a

Castle Brae, 1930's/40's?

1940 (1 comments)

Ross the Dairy's house and garden wall are on the left of this photo with Tommy Bogg's grocer shop beyond, later owned by Donald Leitch. St Andrew's Church can be seen at the far end. The buildings just before it to the left are now gone. That area of Manse Street was later developed for housing. See also Picture #248

Manse Street, 1895

1895 (10 comments)

This view of the far end of Manse Street shows a fenced field on the leftWith St Andrews Church beyond. This field is now part of the

Manse Street, early 1900's?

1900 (1 comments)

This picture was taken outside Wilhaven House, Portmahomack.

Standard car - driver D Mackay

Date unknown

This is a view of Castle Brae before the steps and railings were added. The cemetery caretaker's house, now the museum. can be seen, middle left, and the corner of the old chapel, middle right. The wall and railing in the bottom right hand corner mark the position of buildings (Paradise Row?) later demolished. A small triangle with a road on either side and newer houses now occupy this site.

Castle Brae

1890

Standing L to R - Willie Ross, Charlie Cooper, Murd Ross, Roddy Christie, Archie Finlay
Kneeling L to R - Alan Davidson, Norman Ferguson, Jimmy Clunas, Lochart Fraser, Danny Ross, Jockan Macrae.

St Duthus FC Veterans

1950 (2 comments)

This is the site of the Battle of Flodden, which took place on September 9th 1513. Its connection with Tain is that this is where James IV was killed, only a few weeks after the last of his frequent pilgrimages to the shrine of St Duthac in Tain.

This view is taken from roughly James IV's position, looking north. The English were on the low ridge in the middle of the picture. Although the Scots were in a strong position and had captured most of the local strongholds they were lured into making a disastrous attack. They were unable to bring their cannons to bear on the English from this position. Instead of waiting for the English to come to them, they rushed down the hill to find that the dip between the ridges was wet and swampy - as it still is today despite modern drainage. They got bogged down and were slaughtered. About 10,000 Scots (including much of the nobility) and up to 3,000 English were believed to have been killed. Even 500 years on it is a moving experience to visit this place.

On the right of the picture you can just see the village of Branxton. Many of the dead were buried here in huge pits, and James IV's body was put in the church overnight before being taken to London - its eventual fate is still a bit of a mystery. You can also just see the monument commemorating the battle on the highest point of the ridge just above the trees.

Flodden, Northumberland

2004

The interesting thing about this picture of Tower Street is the appearance of the building second from the right. A private dwelling at the time the picture was taken, it was probably altered when it became a bank. It then became Mackenzie & Cormack, Solicitors - now Lawson Keir's office.

Tower Street, Tain

1900

We would be grateful if anyone can give us any information about this photo showing goods being delivered to or from Hilton Post Office.

Hilton Post Office

1900

Culpleasant House was situated about 1.5 miles west of Quebec Bridge and belonged to one of the many estates set up on land feued out by the Burgh of Tain in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. Much of this land eventually was sold to the Forestry Commission. Although reduced to this ruin when this picture was taken in 1980, it was still visible. Parts of the ruins still remain but are now completely obscured by trees.

Culpleasant House

1980 (5 comments)

Meikle Ferry Station building as seen from the front (ie facing away from the railway line). The name of the station reflected the site's importance for an earlier form of transport. This building became the Meikle Ferry Inn and more recently its name was changed to the Dornoch Bridge Inn. Again a reflection of changes in communications.
See also Picture #202

Meikle Ferry Station

1890 (5 comments)

This shows a view of the station building and part of the platform and railway line. See also Picture #201

Meikle Ferry Station

1890

This Post Card of Edderton Station is postmarked Aug 1964 (or perhaps 1954 as it is not very clear). It is addressed to

Edderton Station

1954 (5 comments)

This post card was photographed and published by Gordon, Fearn. It shows a spot on the shore of Loch Eye near St Catherine's Cross. The level of the loch has risen in more recent times so this structure is probably now below the current water level.

At Loch Eye, Fearn

1900 (1 comments)

This Amiralty aerial photograph shows some of the houses on the south side of Manse Street under construction. St Andrews Church and manse can be clearly seen in the centre with what is now Moss Road (known in earlier times as the Hill Road) stretching away up the hill to the southwest.

Aerial view of west end of Tain, c1940

1940 (4 comments)

In this Admiralty aerial photograph, the Royal Hotel (in the centre) and the Parish Church (left centre) can easily be identified and the rest can be worked out from these.

Aerial View of central Tain, c1940

1940 (2 comments)

This post card image of Kincardine Church and Cemetery was produced by Fraser, Ardgay.

Kincardine Church and Cemetery, Ardgay

Date unknown (1 comments)

An early Post card image of Migdale Loch.

Migdale Rock and Loch

1910

This splendid post card view from the Struie was published by J B White Ltd, Dundee.

Kyle of Sutherland & Dornoch Firth from the Struie

1930

This Post Card of Ardgay was published by James Moir, Chemist & Stationer, Bonar Bridge. It is postmarked

Ardgay

1946 (9 comments)

This early tinted Post Card (MacPherson series) of the River Carron is postmarked

Carron River from the Bridge

1910 (1 comments)

The ghillie in this photo, taken near Deanich Lodge in the early 1920's, is Hector Macleod (1860-1941), Great Grandfather of contributor, Ross Macleod. The figure in the doorway is Hector's youngest son - Ross's Grandfather. At the time Deanich was part of the Balnagown Estate but the area is now the Alladale and Deanich Estate.
See also Picture #179

Ghillie at Deanich Lodge

1920 (2 comments)

Deanich Lodge is situated c15 miles west of Ardgay in the valley of the Abhainn Gleann Mor, a tributary of the Alladale River which is itself a tributary of the River Carron. On the back of the photo is written

Deanich Lodge, near Ardgay

1937 (2 comments)

This image is from a Valentine's Post Card. The date suggested (1940) is conjecture assuming contributor's post cards belong to the same period.

Gledfield Lodge, Ardgay

1940 (3 comments)

This Post Card has no details of the publisher and has no writing on the back. However someone has written

Invercharron House, Ardgay

1940 (23 comments)

This picture was taken outside Rosehill House in 1902. The people in the photo were the parents of a Mr George Murray.

Rosehill.

1902 (4 comments)

This picture shows Hartfield House which was designed by Tain architect Maitland. In front of the house are Mr Ross, standing and Miss Fortune in the carriage.

Hartfield House

1910 (1 comments)

This picture shows Moorfarm house which belonged to William Ross, manager of the British Linen Bank. It was then left to David Macdonald by the late Miss Ross.

Moorfarm House.

1900 (1 comments)

This house, now demolished, was situated at the foot of Castle Brae. and was the home of a family called Sangster. Note the left hand ground floor window level with the pavement indicating that part of the house was below street level. You had to go down two or three steps to enter the front door. The small building to the right may have been a paint store.

Orchard Cottage, Castle Brae

1900 (2 comments)

We think this early picture of Stag Croft, at the top of Moss Road, was taken c1900. It was clearly

Stag Croft, Moss Road

1900 (3 comments)

This example of a humorous postcard from the begining of the 20th century was posted in Tain on the 30th August, 1906 to

Seaside sketches at Tain

1906

This photo taken looking up King Street is of the first motor cycle combination to appear in Tain. Sitting in the sidecar is Charlie Ross; the man in the middle is Alex Forsyth, Alisdair Kinghorn's maternal grandfather. It is interesting to note how the appearance of King Street is now much altered especially on the left hand side. The steps, which can be seen in the background between the two men standing, have now gone. They led into a house occupied by an Alex Fraser (

Early motor cycle combination

1910 (2 comments)

George Ross,

Harvesting at Redburn Farm 2

1930 (1 comments)

This photo taken in the 1930's at Hartfield farm shows an early Fordson tractor in front of a large haystack with a reaper and binder in the background. The spikes were removable and were put on to give grip on soft ground.

Tractor at Hartfield farm.

1935 (1 comments)

The date of this potograph is not known, but the vehicle is a 1899 Wolseley. The car, with driver and co-driver, is shown on an unspecified country road. At the time the photograph was taken, vehicles taking part in this run would have to pass through all the towns now by-passed (Muir of Ord, Dingwall, Alness, Invergordon, Tain, etc)

Lands End to John O`Groats

1920

This picture, a gift from Mrs W Ross, Cromartie Gardens, Tain, shows ten crew members with Fire engine GLE 3 and equipment in Market Street.

Tain Fire Brigade

1930 (3 comments)

This photograph, gifted by Balnagown Estates, shows the workshop where Sir Charles Ross worked on his inventions.

Workshop of Sir Charles Ross

1900 (10 comments)

This picture shows a Sea Plane of the Royal Naval Air Service taking off from the estuary of Tain River. The river bank is lined with spectators and part of the suspension footbridge can be seen to the right-hand side of the photograph. Although not dated, it possibly relates to the earlier half of the twentieth century. See Picture #81

Seaplane on Tain River

1910 (1 comments)

This picture shows a group of motor cycles outside D. Mackay`s St Duthus Cycle and Motor Works in Sutherland Street. The group comprises five single motor-bikes and two motor-cycle combinations; the sidecar on one of these is of basket construction.

Cycle Works, Tain

1910

This William Smith photo may be from the early 1900's. It shows what is now Gow Bakery and Tearoom, formerly Strachans, when the premises were divided into 3 shops - here an unnamed one, Dawson. Clothiers, and Glasgow House. See also Picture #82 Picture #109 Picture #111
Another interesting point is that the street name on the side of the building to the left says

High Street Tain looking east

1900 (10 comments)

This photograph shows a senior class outside Tain Royal Academy c 1930's ?.
L to R Back row - Robert Mackintosh, Ian M Ross (Meccano), John Vass, Peter Thompson, Hugh Robertson (Coatbridge), Andrew Ross (Sooyan) Harry Tresise, Andrew Fox, Walter Ross
Third Row - Hamilton Cormack, Willie Ross (Guillaume), Tommy Russell, Donald Maclean, Donald MacArthur, Ray Collie, Gregor Macleod
Second Row - Cathy Dundas, Joyce Mann, Betty Shand, Dorothy Tresise, Jessie Munro, Eleanor Macdonald, Alicia Ross, Kate Vass, Flora Mackay, Eileen Mackay, Ella Paterson
Front Row - Andrew Gardener, ? Ewen, Alex Corbett, David Stalker, Wattie Gardener, Andrew Munrow, ? Mackenzie, Donald Fraser, Hamish Sutherland (Porky)

Tain Royal Academy

1935 (6 comments)

This picture from an unknown newspaper or Magazine is entitled

Aerial view of part of Tain

1940 (4 comments)

This pre-1969 (no sign of the new TRA) Air Ministry view of Tain, as seen directly from above, is looking to the NE. It clearly shows the town's main roads radiating west, south, south east and east - a pattern established in early times. From L to R - Morangie Road, Moss Road (formerly the Hill Road), Craighill Terrace (formerly the Quarry Road), Scotsburn Road, Hartfield Road (leading from Kingscauseway), the A9 and the road to Portmahomack. See also Picture #129

Aerial view of Tain

1960 (1 comments)

Other than she was a Tain resident, we know nothing about this interesting individual. Perhaps someone can enlighten us.

"Cappie Eppie"

1920

This picture of Abbian House was taken sometime in the 1920's when it was the British Linen Bank and Bank House. The left hand part is now part of the Tain branch of the Bank of Scotland and the right hand part a private house. The gentleman, second from right, is Charles Ian Mackenzie who was the Bank Agent at the time. He was born at Rhamore, Edderton, in 1856.

Former British Linen Bank House

1925 (8 comments)

This picture of the Altnamain Hotel was possibly taken in either the 1920's or 30's.

Altnamain Hotel

1930 (1 comments)

The mason responsible for this bridge was a Mr Mackenzie.
We are not certain how the bridge got its name, although there is a suggestion that (a) citizen(s) of Tain may have fought with General Wolfe in Canada.
There is also a Quebec Cottage, and a comment in the catalogue states that Mr Ross of Moorfarm was known as `Old Quebec`.

Quebec Bridge

1920 (3 comments)

This picture shows a group of Austin cars outside the St Duthus Hotel. It probably dates back to the 1930`s or `40`s.

St Duthus Hotel

1930 (2 comments)

This possibly shows the fleet beginning to gather, as a similar view is shown on a postcard which has

Preparing for War

1913

Tarlogie House was one of a number of large houses in or near Tain.

Tarlogie House

1900 (20 comments)

This postcard, produced by Mathieson of Delny, shows an old view of Balnagown Bridge. The old bridge can still be seen from car or bus as one travels along the new by-pass road.

Balnagown Bridge

1920 (2 comments)

The Nigg Ferry Hotel now stands on the site of this old house.

Dunskaith House

1930 (22 comments)

This tinted postcard was sent to a Miss M Currie, who was apparently staying at the Waterloo Hydro Hotel in Aberystwyth. It is postmarked 20th July 1915. The boats may be fishing vessels but there is no indication on the post card whether this is so or whether they are privately-owned.

Evening at Invergordon Harbour

1915

This is a group of strawberry pickers, around 1899-1900, in a field which used to be opposite the railway station. It was part of a nursery belonging to WG Holmes, Seed Merchant. The nursery mainly grew strawberries and fruit trees eg apples. pears, plums. It later became a football field and was known as Coronation Park. It is now a depot for a construction firm.
Standing at back L to R - Macrae or Campbell (?), Janet ? (Knockbreck St). WG Holmes, Alick Munro (Mounteagle), Bob Stenhouse, Mrs Macdonald, William Munro, George Oman, George Graham, Angus Hepburn; group of three at LHS - ? Graham, George Mackenzie )former General Manager of British Linen Bank), Willie Holmes; group of four in middle - Roddie Ross, Andrew Ross, Andrew Gallie, Tom Mackenzie; Two at RHS - ? Cameron, ? Urquhart.

Strawberry pickers

1899 (4 comments)

This a copy of a post card shows Castlecraig Golf Course and clubhouse c1910. The Nigg Ferry Hotel is the building behind the clubhouse. See also Picture# No 2390.1

The Golf Links and Clubhouse, Nigg

1910

This picture shows Amat Lodge after substantial extensions have been built onto the original building. See Picture #94.

Amat Lodge, Ardgay

1910

This picture of Amat Lodge in the 19th Century shows its original form before extensions were built. See Picture #93.

Amat Lodge, Ardgay

1890 (3 comments)

This picture shows a large wooden derrick erected to tap underground water at Brucefield farm, near Portmahomack, around 1911/12. George Gill may be one of the gentlemen on either side of the bore hole.

Drilling for water, Brucefield

1911 (1 comments)

A busy scene in Tain high Street, early 20th century(?)

Tain High Street

1910 (1 comments)

The photograph shows Mr & Mrs Murray outside Lily Cottage in Manse Street. The cottage still stands, although the porch had to be rebuilt after it was demolished by a lorry.

The back of the original photograph bears hand written comments by a Margo Lauchlan, born in Gtaeshead 1902, and possibly one other. One comment indicates that the photograph was taken by a Kenneth Munro about 1890.

Lily Cottage

1890

The photograph shows an interior view of Aldie Mills in October 1963. The sacks are full of grain. The mill was the last water-powered meal mill to operate in the Tain area. It closed in the 1960's. After being restored to working condition, it was re-opened as a tourist attraction in 1996. More recently it has been developed as a private dwelling, although the water wheel is still in position.

Aldie Mills

1963

This picture copied from a post card was given to the museum in 1985 with an accompanying note which states the scene is as the donor remembered it 70 years earlier. The turret in the middle foreground is that of Dunskaith House which is now demolished. Other information provided was that the cottage above the turret was occupied by a George Gibson and his two sons; on the right is the Ferry Inn and back left is Craig Lodge. The white spot beside, middle left edge is the white box marking the 1st tee of the old Nigg Golf Course.

Cromarty (Nigg) Ferry

1915 (1 comments)

This picture of the staff of Scotsburn House taken around 1900 gives an idea of the number of people employed in such houses and thus the large number of people in service generally at that time. The small boy is Donald (Doey) Macdonald and his father is the gamekeeper (with gun), father and grandfather respectively of Kenneth Macdonald, formerly of Arabella, currently living in Scotsburn Road, Tain.

Staff at Scotsburn House

1900

This picture of Edderton House was taken around the time of the sale of Edderton Estate in 1895.
See also Picture #54

Edderton House

1895 (2 comments)

This picture of the Smithy at Culnaha was taken sometime during WWI. The blacksmith (holding the horse's hoof) was called Holmes. His son is to his right and the three girls are his grand-daughters. The soldier was from one of two big army camps nearby and the pony was from the YMCA hut(?).

Culnaha Smithy, Nigg

1914 (32 comments)

The sign above the doorway of these premises at the corner of Geanies and Stafford Street says Saddlery Department. Note the horse collars on either side of the door, the beautiful horse carriages, the post box in the wall and the water hydrant in the middle of the pavement. This building still exists but is much changed in appearance with much larger window spaces. It was a tyre centre in recent times and is currently a household supplies shop.

John Fraser, Coachbuilders

1900 (2 comments)

We have no details about this interesting scene of haystacks and horseteams. Can anyone provide any information?

Farming scene, Easter Ross

1900 (1 comments)

This picture shows the large workforce used to build Gruinyards Lodge. It is a Maitland designed building. Andrew Anderson, Bonar saw mill, Picture #55 is 8th from the left holding paper (plans?).

Gruinards Lodge, Strath Carron

1880 (11 comments)

This picture shows the Shandwick Stone, the Clach a' Charridh, in its commanding position at the top of a brae at the southern end of Shandwick village, overlooking the Moray Firth. Unfortunately the stone is now covered by a pavilion of glass which although necessary for its preservation, detracts from its original impact.

Shandwick Stone

1950

These three gold miners are standing against the backdrop of the gold mining village used during the Strath Kildonan Gold Rush 1865-66.

Gold Mining, Kildonan, Sutherland

1865

St Mary's Well was a fresh water spring lying between the high and low watermarks on the Blarliath shore and could be accessed at low tide It was reputed to have health giving properties, especially for curing consumption. This tinted photograph shows Georgina Macdonald, probably some time in the 1930's. She frequently collected water from the spring and is supposed to have built the stone surround. The site of the well can still be located today by the presence of three large blocks of stone, one of which is seen behind Georgina. It has been claimed that these blocks were originally part of pillars marking the entrance to Tain Castle garden.

St Mary's Well

1930 (1 comments)

Edderton House, overlooked the Dornoch Firth but was demolished in the 1950's. It was part of quite an extensive estate. The house's last owner was a Mr Knight, Underwriter, London. The clocktower shown in the picture still stands

Edderton House

1900 (3 comments)

With the horse and cart are Alex and Bella (nee Ross) Fraser, of 11 Main Street, Inver. Alex was born in 1844 and died in 1927. Bella was born in 1850.

Bringing home firewood, Inver

1900 (2 comments)

This post card showing troops being given a send off by relatives, friends and other well-wishers as they left by train for the front was taken during the First World War (1914-18). It was not posted to anyone but someone has written on the back

Troops leaving from Tain Station

1916 (2 comments)

This post card shows the unveiling of Nigg War Memorial by Sir Robert W Brodie, DSO,MC (in uniform). Also in the picture are the Rev Mr N D Mackay, Nigg, Mr John Grant, Saddler, Mr James Munro and Mr William Ross.

Unveiling of Nigg War Memorial

1920 (1 comments)

An intriguing row of thatched cottages. Further information including confirmation of its location and some idea of the date would be most welcome.

New Street, Inver?

1920

This post card shows a stranding of a school of whales off Bonar bridge in October, 1927. The bridge shown here replaced the one built in 1811/12 - see picture #41 Old Bonar Bridge.

Whales at Bonar Bridge

1927 (3 comments)

This cottage was located near the gates into Ardmore Estate. It was later converted into part of what is now the Ardmore Lodge Hotel. The date given for when the photo was taken is purely conjectural. We would be grateful if anyone can give a more accurate date.

Ardmore Cottage

1950 (1 comments)

This bridge was built in 1811/12 to the plan of Telford. It provided the first road link between Ross-shire and Sutherland but was destroyed by flood in 1892. Does anyone know anything about the sailing boat in the picture and/or a more accurate date for when the photo was taken?

Old Bonar Bridge

1870 (8 comments)

This picture gives a good idea of what life was like in the rural areas of Ross-shire at the turn of the century compared to the present day. Note that most of the children have bare feet - a common practice in summer months.

School Street, Fearn

1910 (2 comments)

This fountain was created as part of the decorations for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1887 on the former site of the market cross which had been moved as it was an obstruction to traffic. It was constructed by William Macrae & Sons, Plumbers, free of charge. Presumably it was built as a temporary feature. The fountain fixture (but not the base of rocks and ferns shown in this picture) was later transferred to the garden of Mansfield House (now the Mansfield House Hotel) which was occupied by the then Provost, Donald Fowler. It can still be seen in the hotel grounds.

Fountain, High Street, Tain

1887

This group photo is taken at the entrance to the old Town Hall in Tower Street (later used as a cinema and currently awaiting renovation) following the Freedom of the Burgh Presentations to Sir Arthur Bignold, MP, and Colonel James Alex. Francis Humberston Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth in 1907. Sir Arthur is probably the white bearded gentleman at the front with Lady Bignold beside him. Colonel Mackenzie could be the gentleman in spats leaning against the balustrade. Also in the picture are various councillors, baillies and other dignatories (including the Countess-Dowager of Moray and Sir Kenneth Matheson, Bart. of Lochalsh) and leading businessmen. A cake and wine banquet took place afterwards in the Royal Hotel.

Freedom of the Burgh, Sir Arthur Bignold

1907 (5 comments)

A photograph of the front of Balnagown Castle as it looked just over a century ago (1901) taken by William Smith, Photographer, Tain. Note the heavily ivy covered walls.

Balnagown Castle

1901 (11 comments)

A hand tinted post card published by Macpherson Brothers, Tain, showing a front view of the then Parish Church. Knockbreck Street is seen on the right. This building was completed in 1814 and took over from the Collegiate Church which was too small due to the increase in the population of the parish. It remained as a church untill about 1944. It was purchased by the Town Council in 1946 and became the Town Hall, now the Duthac Centre. The post card was never used.

Parish Church/Duthac Centre

1900 (2 comments)

This post card shows the general store, Edderton in the early 1900's (perhaps later). There is a message and an address on the back but no stamp or post mark nor any sign of it ever having been sent. The message is as follows -

Aird's shop, Edderton

1910 (1 comments)

A number of Tain's dignataries and noted citizens along with engineers and burgh workmen are shown at St George's well , near Culpleasant during the 1910 annual inspection of the Burgh's water works. These works established in 1871 provided Tain with an abundant and pure water supply for many years.
R to L - Councillor T Wooley, Wm MacGill, Geo. Gunn, JR Strachan, T Macleod, J Nicol, Baillie Robertson, Provost Fowler, Baillie J Gallie, J Cormack, Donald Ross, D Macleod.

Inspection of Burgh Water Works

1910 (1 comments)

Then as now - driving had its problems in the early days of motoring, too.
This postcard was sent to a Miss E Honeyman in Musselburgh on August 13th 1907, explaining that the writer had had to put up in Tain overnight due to a `slight mishap with car`.

Postcard of Stafford Street

1907

This hand-tinted postcard of Lamington Street was posted in Gollanfield in 1905, by a visitor to Tain. It shows the view to the west, looking along the High Street, with the Royal Hotel at the end of the street. The railings, steps and trees on the right-hand side no longer exist.

Lamington Street, Tain

1905 (5 comments)

This postcard was sent from Fearn to Edinburgh in 1903. The view is looking across The Links from Gallow Hill towards the railway line with the slaughter house beyond on the right and the goods shed is the large building middle left.
The first golf in Tain was played on The Links. In 1890 the St Duthus Golf Club was formed and a proper course set out east of the Plaids Road. However, golf continued to be played on the links for a long time afterwards.

Golfers on The Links, Tain

1903

This photo shows Balnagown in a run-down state in the mid 1960s before it was bought by the current owner. The core of the castle is a tower house built for the Rosses in the 14th century and greatly altered and extended in subsequent centuries. The original Ross line died out in 1711 and the castle and estate passed to an unrelated Ross family. The last of this family, Sir Charles Ross, died in Florida in 1942. His widow and her second husband tried to run the heavily encumbered estate as a sporting venture, but this was not a great success and by the time of this photograph the estate had been broken up and most of it sold off.

Balnagown Castle

1961 (26 comments)

This is the toll house on the A9 just to the south of Tain. It was built in the early 19th century as the collection point for the toll on this section of the road north from Inverness. It is an attractive building which at the time of the photograph had a well kept garden and a decorative fence separating it from the road. Following re-alignment, the road is now some distance away from the toll house and on its other side. The toll house itself is tucked away in the Roads Department depot.

The old toll house

1890 (3 comments)