Torridon and Kinlochewe Libraries

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Torridon » Torridon History » Torridon Calendar 1998
1st lorry to Alligin.jpg
1st lorry to Alligin.jpg
Transporting the first lorry to Alligin. As there was no road to Alligin two boats are tied together with planks laid across for the lorry. We are not sure of all on board but sitting on the lorry bonnet was Johnny Macdonald, Alligin. The man in uniform was Mr Donald Maclean with his son Rory on front. Standing behind him was 'Funder' Maclean. Surveying the scene from Corry pier was Dolan's dog Dileas.
The Annat shop
The Annat shop
The Annat shop Mr Donald Mackenzie pictured by his shop in Annat in the 1880s. The shop was opened to cater for the men working at nearby Ben Damph house and sold a great variety of goods ranging from men's boots to the sickles and crooks seen at the upstairs window and the clay pipes below. The room on the left was used as an office. The shop was run until recent years by Mr Mackenzie's son Donnie.
Digging through Snow Drifts
Digging through Snow Drifts
Having no snowploughs, it could take up to a week to dig through the snow drifts to reach Fasaig from Diabaig.
Football Team
Football Team
The handsome lads of Torridon football team in the 1930s. Back row l-r: Finlay Maclean, Donald 'Moccan' Mackenzie, Duncan 'Willigin' Maclean. Middle row l-r: Kenny Macdonald, Alligin; Donald 'Diamond' Mackenzie, Angus Mackenzie, Durrie. Front row l-r: Murdo Dolan; George Mackenzie, Barnfield; Murdo Mackenzie, Annat Lodge; Donnie Mackenzie, Barnfield; Willie Maclean, Fasaig.
The four daredevils
The four daredevils
The four daredevils. James Thorburn (2nd from left) with three friends (all also named Jimmy) at Ripon Training Camp in 1917, six weeks before leaving for France. As his mother had recently died Jimmy was allowed to cover the second button on his tunic in black cloth. Aged 17, Jimmy had joined up two years earlier after lying about his age to get into the army. He lost the finger on his right hand due to an accident with a handgun in Glasgow but was sadly later to lose his right arm in the Battle of the Somme.
Gathering Hay
Gathering Hay
Eliza Macpherson gathering the hay on Croft 21, Diabaig.
John 'Rudd' Mackenzie.
John 'Rudd' Mackenzie.
Keeper's Cottage, Corry
Keeper's Cottage, Corry
Keeper's Cottage, Corry. Pictured from l-r: ? ; Duncan MacBeath ('The Gillie Ban'); Cathy; Donnie and Mary Macdonald (Donnie London's father and aunts); Murachadh Ban; John Macgregor; Roderick Maclean ('Rory Dubh'). Centre front: William Macdonald, Old Inn (Keeper); MacDuff's grandfather; Betty Macdonald and mother Bessie.
Loch Torridon hotel
Loch Torridon hotel
Loch Torridon hotel. Originally built in 1887 as a private residence this majestic building was converted to a hotel in 1962. An artist was brought over from Florence to work on the interior including laying the impressive mosaic at the entrance. Local schoolchildren were able to mark time by the sound of the clock bells chiming across the loch. Tariff for a room with private bathroom would set you back £3 and dogs were permitted in the owners' bedrooms for 2s/6d. Sport included Salmon and Sea Trout fishing from hotel motor boats, Sailing, Riding and Stalking which cost £10 per day. Fishing charges varied from £1 on Loch Damph to £5 on River Balgy - a ghillie for the day was £1.50.
Collecting the Torridon mail.
Collecting the Torridon mail.
Collecting the Torridon mail. The Torridon mail-van backing across the line at Achnasheen Station to pick up goods. The main contractor, Donald Maclean, travelled daily with a horse and trap to Kinlochewe after the First World War. His son Alistair and daughter Peggy now live in Fasaig.
Making the new road at Annat.
Making the new road at Annat.
Making the new road at Annat. When the bridge at Balgy was replaced, finally enabling cars to travel from Torridon to Shieldaig, the road at Annat was widened to double track. Hard at work in 1963 is Raymond MacAllister, Beauly.
Outdoor service at Am Ploc
Outdoor service at Am Ploc
Am Ploc Villagers gathered at Ploc for an outdoor service taken by Rev Peter Findlay. Among those braving the midges were Morag and Joan Macdonald, Katherine and Alice, Bayview, and Mary Macdonald who is in the foreground. It is not known if this historic site was an outdoor church or an early parliament where community decisions were made. Although it is possible to walk to the site, sadly the outer wall is now collapsing, allowing seaweed and bracken to cover the rows of stone.
The long and winding road to Torridon.
The long and winding road to Torridon.
Salmon fishing at Red Point late 1940s.
Salmon fishing at Red Point late 1940s.
Salmon fishing at Red Point late 1940s. Pictured at the Salmon Fishing Station off Red Point are local men: l-r: Murdo Mackenzie, Diabaig; Kenny Macrae, Red Point; Donald 'Rupert' Mackenzie, Opinan; Ali 'Corry' Macpherson, John Macpherson, George Warren, and Sandy Mackenzie, Diabaig.
Torridon School in late 1920s.
Torridon School in late 1920s.
Torridon School in late 1920s. In the 1920s and 30s when these photographs were taken there were also schools in Diabaig and Alligin. However, the Diabaig School was closed in 1957 and Inver-Alligin in 1961 so that by 1963, when our February picture was taken, the children travelled to Torridon daily as they do today. We hope that you enjoy looking at and using our 1998 calendar. The mother tongue of the children pictured on the left and the people featured on following pages was the Gaelic, so it seems appropriate to make use of it here too. Bliadhna Mhath Ur le gach durachd! Miss Peace with her charges. Standing in rear row are Roddy 'Dochan' Macdonald (Fearrach), Donald 'Moccan' Mackenzie, Donnie Mackenzie (Bayview).
Torridon School 1936
Torridon School 1936
Torridon School 1936 Back row from left to right: Peggy Maclean, Alistair Maclean, Roy Macrae (Corry Pier), Rory Macdonald-Brownhill. Front: Nan Macdonald, Susan Macdonald-Brownhill, Morag Feinty (Gardener's Cottage). Teacher - Bella Mackenzie
Torridon School 1936
Torridon School 1936
This is the nameplate that accompanies photo no 5531
Torridon School late 1960s.
Torridon School late 1960s.
Torridon School late 1960s. Back row l-r: Iain (Happy) Maclennan, Murdo Macdonald (Bella Vista), Ritchie Tough, Murdo Mackenzie (Bayview), Donnie Macdonald. Middle row: Donnie Beaton, Murdo Alick Mackenzie, Willie Tough, Murdo Beaton, Murdo 'Corry' Macdonald. Front row: Eleanor Beaton, Linda Low, Anne Macdonald, Jane Mackenzie, Catherine Tough.
Mr Macdonald ('Willie Diabaig')
Mr Macdonald ('Willie Diabaig')
Mr Macdonald ('Willie Diabaig') pictured at work lobster fishing aboard the Hilda. Willie was renowned for his sense of humour and his great ability to recount stories from the past.
Winter Walk on the Banca Mor
Winter Walk on the Banca Mor
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Torridon WW1

Torridon WW1

The photos in this album are from the Ross-shire Journal during the 1914-1918 War. Newspaper copies had been deposited with Dingwall Museum but over the years had become rather fragile and were in danger of disintegrating and so it was felt that this valuable record should not be lost.
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Maclennan John, Sgt, Kinlochewe
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Torridon War Memorial

Torridon War Memorial

The war memorial photographs on this site were originally the work of Mr John W Bruce. He has subsequently developed the website http://www.rosswarmemorials.org.uk which gives much more detail.
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Torridon War Memorial
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