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.

Two people baiting fishing lines

Attribution: unknown

"Scaffie" boats in Avoch harbour

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.

Snowfall on Margaret Street

Attribution: unknown

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images 
Avoch » Avoch Places » Avoch Features
Avoch harbour
Avoch harbour
The first harbour was built in 1814and was designed by Telford. A new harbour was constructed in the first decade of the twentieth century and the eastern breakwater was added in 1948. It no longer sees the same number of fishing boats as it once did but is used for recreational purposes.
Avoch harbour
Avoch harbour
The first harbour was built in 1814and was designed by Telford. A new harbour was constructed in the first decade of the twentieth century and the eastern breakwater was added in 1948. It no longer sees the same number of fishing boats as it once did but is used for recreational purposes.
Avoch War Memorial
Avoch War Memorial
Avoch War Memorial
Avoch War Memorial
Avoch War Memorial
Avoch War Memorial
Henrietta bridge
Henrietta bridge
This bridge was built in about 1800 when the harbour was constructed and it linked the fishermen's cottages on the West side of the village with the area known as Dock and the harbour. During the flood in 1946 when a lot of the silt was washed away from the base of the bridge huge slabs were seen indicating the likeliehood of an older ford on the site.
Pallay Stone
Pallay Stone
This unusual object is believed to be part of a Victorian gas manifold - part of a lighting scheme installed by the owner of Rosehaugh House, James Douglas Fletcher. The gasometer was in the grounds of the old blanket factory in George Street. There is now no gas supply to the village. Apart from the general historic interest the Pallay is of sentimental value to a number of locals for whom it was a plaything.
Pallay Stone
Pallay Stone
This unusual object is believed to be part of a Victorian gas manifold - part of a lighting scheme installed by the owner of Rosehaugh House, James Douglas Fletcher. The gasometer was in the grounds of the old blanket factory in George Street. There is now no gas supply to the village. Apart from the general historic interest the Pallay is of sentimental value to a number of locals for whom it was a plaything.
Railway Bridge
Railway Bridge
This unusual double arched bridge was constructed as part of the 1902 Muir of Ord to Fortrose branch line and carried the line eastward from Avoch station. The route of the line now serves as a pleasant walk between Avoch and Fortrose.
Railway Bridge
Railway Bridge
This unusual double arched bridge was constructed as part of the 1902 Muir of Ord to Fortrose branch line and carried the line eastward from Avoch station. The route of the line now serves as a pleasant walk between Avoch and Fortrose.
War Memorial - site of midnight service on 31 December 1999.
War Memorial - site of midnight service on 31 December 1999.
This imposing Memorial stands on high ground at the junction of the main road into Avoch (A832) and a side road which leads to a former Free Church, now converted into a dwelling house. Map reference is NH698551 on Sheet 26. The Memorial is a well-designed, elegant tapered pillar, painted primrose-yellow, and standing on a three-stepped platform painted a dark grey.

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