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.

Take a Pictorial Tour of Avoch
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.

View All Photos of the Pictorial Tour of Avoch

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.

A Pictorial Tour of Avoch
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 Burial Grounds
The Re-furbishment of the grave of Sir Alexander Mackenzie
The Re-furbishment of the grave of Sir Alexander Mackenzie
For many years the grave of Sir Alexander Mackenzie was tended by Gregor Mackintosh but when he became less able to cope the area became somewhat neglected. Towards the end of 2002 the Avoch Heritage Association with the help of the Black Isle Partnership decided to refurbish the site. The Canadian High Commission donated Canadian flags and Gregor donated a new Union Flag. The area was covered with a weedproof membrane and stone chips and the walls were re-painted. On the 16th April 2003 there was a brief ceremony to mark the refurbishment.
Grave of James Douglas Fletcher
Grave of James Douglas Fletcher
This is the overgrown site of a magnificent burial enclosure in the grounds of the Rosehaugh Estate. It was commissioned by the widow of J. D. Fletcher - a local benefactor - from the eminent Sir Edwin Lutyens (whose memorials include the Cenotaph in London). Photographs of the original splendour of the area may be found in "Rosehaugh, A House Of Its Time" published by The Avoch Heritage Association. For further details 01381 620587
Burial Site of James Douglas Fletcher
Burial Site of James Douglas Fletcher
This is the overgrown site of a magnificent burial enclosure in the grounds of the Rosehaugh Estate. It was commissioned by the widow of J. D. Fletcher - a local benefactor - from the eminent Sir Edwin Lutyens (whose memorials include the Cenotaph in London). Photographs of the original splendour of the area may be found in "Rosehaugh, A House Of Its Time" published by The Avoch Heritage Association. For further details 01381 620587
Burial Place of Sir Alexander Mackenzie
Burial Place of Sir Alexander Mackenzie
The famous explorer was born in Stornaway but ended his days in the village at Avoch house - now known as 'The Burnt House' after a fire badly damaged it in 1833. Because of his immense achievements in Canada (the Mackenzie River is named after him) many Canadians visit the site and provide funds to aid its upkeep.
New cemetery
New cemetery
Situated on the top of Gallow Hill, overlooking the Firth, a new burial ground was opened in1925 and supplemented in 1940. In 2000 it was extended to a third phase. Access is by way of a very steep road now named Cemetery Brae.
Old cemetery, Parish Church
Old cemetery, Parish Church
There are 549 graves with head/flat stones.The inscriptions give a history of the people of Avoch Parish: James Fletcher of Rosehaugh, Sir Alexander Mackenzie (explorer of Canada after whom the Mackenzie River is named), ministers, headmasters, farmers, tradesmen - but most of all the fishing community. The oldest gravestone is a flat stone placed by a Donald Jack (fisherman) in memory of his spouse Bessy Main who died sometime in harvest 1733 aged 42 years. Read more on our Burial Grounds page.
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