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 History » Avoch History Introduction

Boats on burn

Boats used to be dragged up the burn under the Henrietta Bridge. The two nearest boats pictured here are the "Honour Bright", owned by Alexander Macintosh, and the "Alison Ann" which was nicknamed "The Tank".

Mrs Jeannie Reid

Whilst their menfolk went to the fishing, their women had to work hard. In addition to bringing up a large family, Mrs Reid would carry fish around the area in the basket called a "murlach". The contents would be exchanged for oatmeal or vegetables. Similar baskets could also be used for carrying firewood

Fountains on Burn

For a short time the burn sported fountains. The blanket factory may be seen in the background. The weir can still be seen from Long Road.

Harbour

The old entrance to the harbour can be seen in the centre of the picture. After World War 2 it was changed to the East side. The steps shown here can no longer be seen as the harbour wall now adjoins the road at this point. The boat leaving the harbour is a Scaffie Yawl.

The Helmsdale

This boat was a regular visitor to the harbour where it discharged coal. John Clark and his brothers sold the coal from lorries around the village and surrounding areas.

Bridge Street

Looking West from the Lazy Corner, the buildings on the left are the Old Post Office and the Station Hotel. The hotel was owned by Kenny Maclean and his sisters and for many years it was always referred to as "Kenny's".

High Street

Looking West again, the Central Hotel can be seen after the openings to Alexander St. and John St. The thatched houses on the right stood where the car park for the hotel is now. A water pump may be seen outside one of them.

Central Hotel

This building, known as "Cruikies" after the owners, Cruikshanks. It later became the Harbour Inn then ceased functioning as a pub and was called th 'Bite and Blether'. It is presently used as a residential driving school.

Lazy Corner

Looking down the brae from the upper part of the village the white building is the site of the Mace Store on the corner of George Street. This part of the road has been widened and a separate, raised footpath now exists on the left.

Old Meal Mill

It is difficult to visualise where this mill stood as the road has changed but the old Mackenzie School may be seen on the extreme right of the picture and the east end of Mackenzie Place. Knockmuir Farm is just visible on top of the hill. The Community Centre and Primary School now occupy the land in the foreground of the picture.

Mill Wheel

The mill was pulled down around the 1950's.

Mending and Drying Nets

This photograph was taken in the area known as 'Dock' and the houses still stand but the land is now enclosed as gardens for the houses.

Early School Picture

This photograph was probably taken in the early 1900's. Back Row (L to R) W. Whyte, J. Macleay, G. Mackenzie, K. Cummings, H. Reid, W. Macleman, D. Patience, W. Mann, D. Macleman, W. Noble, Miss Mackay, J. Skinner. Middle Row L. Bryson, G. Whyte, M. Patience, J. Reid, N. Ma ?, M. Allison, C. Macleman, C.A. Macleman, C. Ross, J. Sutherland, J. Jack. Front Row G. Patience, R. Jack, W. Reid, G. Patience, W. Jack, A. Ross, D. Sutherland, A. Sutherland, D. MacLeod, W. Macleman.

Station

Until the Beeching era many Black Isle folk used the train to get to Dingwall or, by changing at Muir of Ord, to Inverness. The station building is now a private house.

Tower House

After the disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843, it was several years before a Free Church was established in Avoch. Sir James Mackenzie of Scatwell refused to grant them a site but John Matheson of Bennetsfield donated this spot at the approach to the village. The building was designed by the architect of Inverness Cathedral, Alexander Ross, and was opened in 1897. In 1929 the church was amalgamated with the Church of Scotland and the building became the village hall for several years. In 1986 it was bought and converted to a private residence. Presently part is being used for a local business whilst the east end is a domestic dwelling place.

Travellers

In earlier days the travelling folk were regular visitors to the area. Here we see an early car and the older mode of transport. There are many villagers who remember the travelling people camping at the west end of the village in the area of the present industrial site.