Avoch and Killen in a pictorial tour ⋆ Ross and Cromarty Heritage

Avoch and Killen Introduction

Attribution: unknown or not recorded

The Avoch and Killen community is located on the Black Isle. So, Avoch is a small fishing village while on the other hand Killen is mainly agricultural. This means in the past most of the folk in Avoch and Killen have been employed in agriculture or fishing. However, in the past the village has also been involved in ship building and transporting goods by ship.

A Pictorial Tour of Avoch and Killen

Why not join in a pictorial tour of Avoch through the ages? You will meet some of the people who used to live here. For example this is one of the photos on the tour and shows Sandy and Maggie Skinner working outside their house in Geddieston. So, not all the work of a fisherman takes place at sea.

Attribution: unknown

Attribution: unknown

"Scaffies" in Avoch harbour.

A common sight on the beach was “Scaffies” drawn up on the beach as we can see in this pre-WW1 photograph. After that, if we look westward we can see Henrietta Street. However, two of today’s features are missing: there is no Ormonde Street houses or the industrial estate. Finally, the site of Ormonde Castle is still well wooded.

Margaret street after a Snowfall

Donald’s shadow can be seen here as he stood with his back to the Firth photographing the bottom of Margaret Street. On the left is a shop which was owned by Robert Jack who sold groceries. It later became an electrical shop. Next to it is a shed which was a shoemaker’s shop.

Attribution: unknown

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images

Avoch » Avoch Places » Avoch Commercial Buildings

Avoch bakery

The Avoch bakehouse in George Street was founded in about 1930 and is currently owned and operated by Billy MacDonald who is carrying on the long established family tradition of baking around this site. It currently employs 4 people and distributes its products (including traditional shortbread and oatcakes) around the Black Isle. Although it is now mainly a wholesale business it does welcomes special orders from private individuals.

Avoch Post Office

The Post Office, High Street, Avoch, used to be called "The Other Shop". The building was converted in 1970 and was run as a gift shop from 1970 until about 1985 when it became a Post Office replacing the old Post Office which was situated for many years in the building next to the Station Hotel. The Post Office, old and new, was run by Margaret Smith of Fortrose from 1951 to 1987. It had two other owners between 1987 and 1994 The Post Office, old and new, was run by Margaret Smith of Fortrose from 1951 to 1987. It had 2 other owners between 1987 and 1994 when it was taken over by the present owner Helen Ross and her late husband, Bill.

Avoch Street

Within living memory there were 13 shops in Avoch and one in Killen as well as other commercial premises such as blacksmiths and a sailmaker. Largely, due to improved communications, a lot of these have disappeared. Most of those remaining are on the High Street.

Brenda May, hairdresser

Originally a thatched cottage, this building was once an electrical business before becoming a hairdressing salon. The present owner cuts and styles the hair of both sexes and pierces ears. She has been here for 25 years and 18 years ago she opened another shop in Fortose.

Burnside Garage, Long Road - photo 1

This business was established in 1949 by Colin MacArthur, father of the present proprietor, Arthur . The original premises, which were erected on marshy ground in Long Road, consisted of a Nissen Hut acquired from Achnacarry, where it had been used as a hospital ward for injured Lovat Scouts during the 2nd World War. The present building was erected over the original hut which was then demolished from inside. As the ground was marshy and the premises tended to flood, the present owner raised the floor level by some 7 inches (17.5cms.) to prevent further flooding and this has been successful.

Burnside Garage, Long Road - photo 2

Garage premises being built over original Nissen hut.

DJ's Fish Plaice

At one time this building was the council offices and many people remember paying their rents here. Later it was used as a satellite surgery for the Fortrose doctors before selling fish.

Filling Station

Situated near the harbour on the High Street this business was ideally situated both for locals and for passing traffic. Unfortunately competition from the Inverness supermarkets has made it unviable and it is no longer functioning. Before selling petrol it was a garage.

Fishermen's Co-operative

This business opened in 1980 to cater for the needs of the fishermen. Here they could not only get any gear that they wanted but also obtain insurance or fuel cards. Since then the range of goods has widened and it is now a very useful source of hardware, outdoor clothing and DIY materials for all the village. For 16 years the manager was Lewis Patience who is himself an ex-fisherman.

Gabi's Indian Takeaway

Formerly a beauty salon and, before that, an accountant's office, these premises in Rose Street opened in 2002 as an Indian takeaway.

Harbour Inn

This was originally called the Central Hotel. It was established about 1890 and known under that name until 1983. By-names were common in Avoch and the hotel was known locally as "Cruikies", after the original owners, the Cruickshanks. Subsequently it was owned in turn by Messrs. Howie, Catternach and Hetherington. In 1983 it was bought by Bob Cook and the name changed to the Harbour Inn. In1992, because of rising costs, the licenced bar was closed and the business became that of a guest house and tea room.

Jasmine Chinese Takeaway

This was established in August 1998 by Heather and Wayne Lee, both originally from Hong Kong, and boasts a menu which matches any to be found in the larger establishments in nearby Inverness.

Mace store

There were originally two houses on this site and it was once an electrical shop. In recent years it has been a Mace shop, a Spar shop and, since 1996, a Mace shop again. It sells the usual grocery items, newspapers and stationery in addition to hiring out videos and providing noticeboards for local activities.

Station Hotel

Known as "Dave's" (and previously as "Kenny's") this hotel rarely gets its proper title locally. It was built at the end of the 19th century when there was a railway station in the village. It is famed both in and outwith the village for the value of its bar meals and a conservatory extension was added to help accomodate the many vistors it gets, especially in the summer months when they spill into the garden area.

Avoch and Killen Introduction

A Pictorial Tour of Avoch and Killen

"Scaffies" in Avoch harbour.

Margaret street after a Snowfall

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images

The Secretary, Ross and Cromarty Heritage Society, Tigh na Cadalach, Hawthorn Road, Muir of Ord. IV6 7RL.

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