Torridon Calendar 2000 “Memories of Yesteryear”
Attribution: Unknown (Torridon Community Centre)
Torridon Calendar 2000 "Memories of Yesteryear"
As we celebrate the New Millennium and look forward to the future, here we take the chance to look back over life in the Torridon area in past years.
Our last Heritage Calendar promoted a lot of discussion and the photographs led to many stories from the past.
We hope that you enjoy using this and would welcome any further information on the photographs. As the native language of many of the characters featured was the Gaelic it seems appropriate to use it here too.
Bliadhna Mhath Ur le gach durachd!
Our Production Team – Printers – Anne Macrae and Katherine Mackenzie. Collators – Alison Beaton, Claire Abbott and Hayley Ross, P7.
Mrs Mary Mackenzie, Upper Diabaig, July 1926
Mrs Mary Mackenzie, Upper Diabaig, July 1926. She later moved to Maryburgh.
Attribution: unknown
Looking back over the years
At Diabaig pier is Alexander (Alla) Cameron. Diabaig and Shieldaig were closely linked as boats were the main means of transport and Alla made weekly trips from Shieldaig to Diabaig with provisions each Thursday.
Attribution: unknown
The Macdonald family, Alligin
The Macdonald family, Alligin, were well known boat builders and one of their boats The Queen Mary can be seen outside Gairloch Museum. Pictured left are Murdo ‘Dollan’, his grandfather Murdo Macdonald (‘The Old Carpenter’), Ali Dubh, and partly in the picture is Sanderman.
Attribution: unknown
Torridon House staff outing
Pictured possibly on a Torridon House staff outing to Gairloch are estate workers. Some of the faces have appeared in other photographs but as yet have no names. In the middle row, 4th from left, however, is Duncan MacBeath, Mr Thorburn’s grandfather, then Murdo Macdonald and Bessie MacCulloch who were Donnie ‘London’s’ grandparents. Mrs Susan Macdonald, Brownhill (Willie Crupach’s sister) stands at the rear on the left, whilst the piper is thought to be Angus Mackenzie ‘Durrie’, the Estate Piper. J. Campbell, the photographer, lived in Diabaig before moving on to Gairloch.
Attribution: unknown
Car at Corry
Car at Corry. Pictured with pride. Estate workers at Corry show off the latest technology.
Attribution: unknown
The Cutting
In 1951 work started on the road down to Alligin. Until then there had been only paths such as ‘the Burma road’ which can still be used today.
Attribution: unknown
School Photo
l-r: Donald ‘Moccan’ Mackenzie, John Mackenzie, ? , George Mackenzie, Roddy ‘Dochan’ Macdonald, Donnie ‘Bayview’ Mackenzie, Teacher – Miss Clark. Mary Ann Macgregor, Mary Macdonald, Jessie Macrae, Lizzie Mackenzie, Isa Macdonald, Annie Mackenzie, Dolly and Katie Macrae, Betty Macdonald. Willie ‘Dochan’ Macdonald and Charlie Mackenzie.
Donny ‘Bayview’ is a well known figure in Annat today and Donald ‘Moccan’ and dog Lassie enjoy seeing friends in Strathburn House, Gairloch.
Attribution: unknown
At work in Annat
John ‘Bullar’ Mackenzie (standing) takes a break. We would be interested to know who his companion was and what exactly their load was. Possibly old thatch?
Attribution: unknown
Mairi Eachainn's cottage, Annat
Mairi Eachainn’s cottage, Annat.
Attribution: unknown
The Diabaig fank
Shearing by hand is still a common sight in the area each summer. Hard at work are Duncan Macdonald (at the gate), Neil Maclennan (standing) and John ‘Rudd’ Mackenzie.
Attribution: unknown
Fishing nets drying
Fishing nets at Alligin Pier. The village of Alligin has long been associated with fishing and boatbuilding.
Attribution: unknown
At work on the home farm
Working the land was an important way of life and crops were carefully tended on crofts. Today the main Torridon – Shieldaig road runs along the back fence and the Thorburn family home now stands at Newton. The cottage shown is now used by Grampian Climbing Club.
Attribution: unknown
The walking postman's presentation
The walking postman’s presentation. Presentation in the Old Village Hall.
Marking his retiral as postman in Torridon (late 1960s) John ‘Buller’ Mackenzie is presented with a gift of gratitude by Duncan Mackenzie (Old Shoemaker) and Kenny Macdonald (Alligin Post Office). Also looking on are thought to be Murdo ‘Mollan’ Mackenzie, Iain Mackenzie and Murdo Macdonald, with a fresh faced Murdo ‘Corrie’ Macdonald sitting in his kilt.
Attribution: unknown
The coal puffer
Coal came to each village by Puffer from Glasgow. Tides were important as the boat would beach before unloading coal which was then distributed by horse and cart and later by lorry.
Attribution: unknown
Community Christmas party
Enjoying the games at the Community Christmas Party in the old Village Hall are, amongst others, Wilma Holmes, Eleanor Beaton, Tibby and Anne Ross, Morag (in her mini), Nurse Brown, Marjory and May Carswell, Chrissie Duncan, Wilma and Marianne. A young Ronnie Holmes chats to Alice ‘Bayview’ Mackenzie. Bella ‘Moccan’ is on the left whilst the Alligin boys take the stage.
Attribution: unknown
Ladies of New Street, Fassaig
Pictured here are Mrs Macgregor and Mary Anne Macgregor who lived in the house (now a ruin) nearest to the school, Mrs Maclean who lived next door (now Mrs Connel’s house) and Mrs Maclean, Roselea (Alistair and Peggy’s Grandmother).
Attribution: unknown
Do you recognise these three likely lads?
Do you recognise these three likely lads?
Donnie ‘London’ Macdonald, Charlie ‘Moccan’ Mackenzie and Bobby Thorburn.
Attribution: unknown
Mrs Katie Macdonald, Ploc
Mrs Katie Macdonald, Ploc. Her husband was an uncle of Donald ‘Moccan’.
Attribution: unknown
John 'Rudd' Mackenzie, Diabaig
John ‘Rudd’ Mackenzie, Diabaig, with a telescope which had come thrkough the Boer War
Attribution: unknown
Boats in Diabaig bay
Boats in Diabaig bay.
Attribution: unknown
