The Invergordon Archive

Seasons Greetings

Happy new year to all that know me, all the best for 2012.

Best wishes

May Invergordon prosper. Best wishes to all for a happy and healthy 2012.

Major's wood - castle ruin?

I haven't visited this site for years, and stumbled across it again by accident compliments of Google! I used to live in Bellfield in the 70s, and played in the Major's woods and walled garden (Bad news if you got caught!!). I seem to recall large pieces of shaped stone (some with narrow window slots) in an area that was full of conker trees. Was there a castle there at one time, and if so what happened to it?

Street Names

Can anybody tell us how some of Invergordon's street names came about ie Nonie's Lane?

Searching Evanton

Hello from America. Can you help me? I was on a B-17 bomber which landed in Evanton in WW11, and I would like to contact anyone who remembers this incident. Please contact me with any addresses or phone numbers.

Kentish Family in Saltburn c.1915-1923

I have just discovered this wonderful site which is of particular interest to my family. Does anyone know or has heard of the PASCALL family from Kent who lived in Saltburn around 1915. They had a young family of three children (two boys, Leslie and Maurice and a girl, Muriel) and one son, Francis, who died there aged 9 months in 1915. They returned to Kent some time between 1920 and 1923. I realise there may not be anyone left who remembers them, but just on the off chance.... I notice on the photograph No. 39 of images of Saltburn that there is a sidecar parked at the edge of the road. Our relatives had just such a sidecar! Any thoughts?

Childhood Memories

Just come across this website while looking into wartime happenings in Invergordon. I used to visit my Great Aunt and Uncle (H.L (Hie) and Duncan Fraser) at 'Seaview' fairly regularly in the 1970s and early 80s. My family had a trip up a couple of weeks ago on holiday and went to Roskeen to visit their graves. My son was fascinated by all the beautifully kept war graves and we were just looking into events that lead to the mixture of nationalities. My Mum used to visit in the war and remembers the 'Hood' anchored off 'Seaview'and she could fill us in with lots of history. I shall hopefully see if she can dig out some old photos which we can scan. It was good to see the town looking prosperous but a bit of a shock to see an oil rig moored off what was still recognisably Seaview and is now Macdonald Court named after my Great Grandfather who was Provost. First of many visits I suspect but what a great online archive!

Alness/Invergordon

Looking through the pictures on this site made me wonder if anyone has pictures of the Smelter from 1970 - 1976ish? I worked in the payroll department which I really enjoyed. We moved South for years and have just returned.

Teaninich Cottages, Alness

Can somebody tell me where Teaninich Cottages, Alness, are and if they are still in existence?

27 Saltburn Road

I am looking for photos, or copies of photos, that show 'The Bungalow,' 27 Saltburn Road, where Mr Brown the Vet used to live. Any information will be gratefully received. Many Thanks

Mellon family

Wondered if anyone has information on the Mellons in Invergordon. My grandmother is called Margaret Mellon and she is one of 13 children of Richard Mellon and Flora Fraser.

Milton Mill, Milton, Invergordon

Hi everyone, just wondered if anyone can give me some information on the mill. We are very interested in this, as there is a house for sale which we love. Any history would be very grateful, thank you

Are there any records of Thomas Winward, in the army in 1917?

My grandfather, Thomas Winward, joined the army upon his graduation in 1917 (chemistry, Manchester University)and was apparently based in Invergordon. Are there any records? I am yet another person researching family history! I woud be grateful for any information at all. Thanks

Invergordon Memories

Hi Eric, I did reply to you last August 2010 but I was having trouble with my P.C. at the time, then it packed in completely. I have a new one now, (the joys of Xmas). I know it's over 4 years since your E-Mail, March 2006, but maybe you're still around. I was in Invergordon from June 1947 to May 1949, Taff Powell - I was in Flying Control (now Air Traffic Control). I remember Marie and the P.O.Ws, and not forgetting the good people of Invergordon. Do you remember the Dances in Invergordon? Well, if you are still around Eric give me a buzz, I'll look forward to it. All the best for now, Thomas(Taff) Powell.

Does anyone remember Harry Burke

Hi there - wondering if anyone remembers or knows the whereabouts of Harry Burke, who was an engineer (from Canada, we remember) working on the construction of the smelter. He was in Invergordon in 1970 and is remembered by my family who would like to get back in touch. If anyone has any clues, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

Finlaysons in Alness

My late father Walter was in RAF Air-Sea Rescue in WW2 and was posted to Invergordon for part of the war. In late 1943 he was transferred to the Isle of Islay. I have a letter dating from that time sent to him from a Sally Finlayson and N. Finlayson of Shore Cottage, Alness. If any of their relatives would like to have a copy of it, I'll be happy to oblige.

Festive greetings to friends and relations

Happy new year to everyone who knows me, all the best for 2011.

Festive Greetings

A fantastic Christmas and an even better New Year to all. I hope to be up north from about the 11th of June.

Seasons Greetings

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year. Thanks to all the staff who obviously work hard to make this site so good and to all the contributors who just make my day with their photos and comments. I just love this site.

All the best

2010 coming to a close. All best wishes to Invergordon and it's residents for 2011..

Major's woods

What are the concrete bases for, in the wooded part near Bellfield?

RN Shipyard

What a great site! I found it while researching my great-grandparents, Henry and Maryanne Smith (nee McLaren). My uncle has an old letter from my Nana's father to her dated 1914, addressed from 125 Mooring Lighter, Invergordon, Scotland. Seeing as he was a shipwright in the Royal Navy, this sounds like he was living on board a vessel rather than on land. Would I be correct? If I can get a copy of the letter and any photos I will post them here if they would be of any interest.

Charles and Anne or Annie Macpherson

Hi, I was wondering if any of you lovely people would have any information on a Charles and Anne (nee Ross) or Annie Macpherson. I don't have any more information except that she lived in a cottage in the centre of Invergordon and on other info I have been given the cottage still stands. She had a daughter Iris born in 1920 and I think she may have had a couple of other daughters as well. I know Anne and Charles would have been born in the late 1800 or early 1900s. I know it's not much to go on but you never know someone may have some info for me on them or any of their children. By the way I think this is a great site.

Fond Memories

I found this site quite by accident and I'm enjoying remembering happy teen years, friends, neighbours and colleagues from my time living in Invergordon. I was 16 (1965) when I moved to Invergordon and worked in the Distillery office and computer room. I've seen a few old faces I remember but I would love to know if anyone has news of some old friends ie. June Moffat; Sheena Urquhart; Cath Daniels; Janie Johnston; Ian Turner; Michael Rogers; John Wood; John Connell; Fun times - Macs cafe; Cokes, Fantas and Juke box/ Joss Street Hall/ Tain Dances/ Portmahomack/ The Strath.

The updated site

Well done to whoever has updated the site. It's a really professional job. Compare the Invergordon site to the pathetic Inverness equivalent...no contest!

Season's Greetings.

I would like just to thank everyone connected to this site for giving us absent Invergordonians the opportunity of not only keeping up with things but also for bringing back many happy memories of people, places and events. I wish everyone a Very merry Christmas and A Very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Seasons Greetings

Merry Xmas everyone, all the best in the new year....

"The Anchorage", 57 Shore Road, Invergordon

This is a beautiful site and I've enjoyed looking through it every so often. I visited Invergordon last year and hope to come again this year. I am researching my Scottish anscestors - the Ross family of Tullich Muir, Kilmuir Easter and I have discovered that my gt.gt.grandfather's brother, Robert Ross was living at the above address in 1935 when he died. He actually died at the croft at Tullich but his usual residence was the Anchorage. I then discovered that his niece, Katie Wilson, also lived there in 1984 when she got too old to live at the croft and before she was taken into care at Barbaraville. Can anyone tell me please if "The Anchorage" was a type of boarding house or a rest home for the elderly? It seemed strange that they both lived there with such a big gap of time between. Many thanks and regards Pat Iezzi

I am thrilled with this site

I came across this site today, and am absolutely thrilled and delighted with it. I came to Invergordon in 1959 and left in 1963 with a few brief 'stays' back. In less than an hour, I found a picture of my brother which I had not seen before and a picture of my stepfather. I found my name mentioned more than once, by people who remembered me. I saw pictures of friends and teachers from so long ago - it was a wonderful trip down memory lane. I know I am going to have many of these memorable trips as I pleasurably trawl through the site. I myself will enjoy contributing the many pictures I too have and hope I can give back some of the pleasure I have had today.

A great site !

This is a wonderful way to keep in touch with Invergordonians old and new. It really is a great site. Keep up the good work. May I, through this comment, wish you all A Very Happy and Healthy New Year.

New site facilities.

I have just had a look after suffering several weeks of computer breakdown. I love the ability to look back over a long period of comments as it means I miss nothing. Congratulations and well done. The site continues to give me much pleasure and entertainment.

Praise from abroad!

Congratulations on producing a really interesting, informative and helpful website for those of us trying to trace our family history. My query about the possibility of a person being my grandfather was answered quickly by a really nice gentleman (Doug Will), who made me feel as if I'd known him for years! Keep up the excellent work! I shall keep visiting the site from my home in Germany.

Suggestions as to how the site could develop

I have no idea if these are technically possible or not! As previously suggested, it would be good to be able to look back over more historical comments. A few weeks on holiday mean that comments are missed due to the 20 limit. What would be ideal is some kind of permanent archive of comments as this would evolve into a kind of oral history. It would also add interest if contributors could post "then" & "now" pictures of themselves and/or their family.We could then see how we are all getting on! Lastly, compared to the Cromarty site, Inverg has relatively few pictuires posted. This is odd as there must be many thousand photos lying around peoples houses. Perhaps contributors who know other Invergordonian's could encourage or assist them to post photos.

1~3~5~10~20 options

Because of the contibutions to a great site, the 1~3~5~10~20 options do not let you see several of the most recent comments to this site. I notice on other PLEXUS sites that they offer a "~50" option. Could this be made available here please. Many thanks - kenny

Great site, all small towns should have one.

An excellent site. I have already sent an enquiry about HMS Natal and received a helpful reply. I have also given information regarding a relative of mine who witnessed the explosion. I hope this peice of information, small as it is, will be published on the site. Margaret Dyson

Thank you to everyone who sent information to my daughter Lindsay as she compiled a wonderful book for me. This is a terrific site. So glad she found it for me.

You have a great site and should be proud of your efforts to preserve Invergordon's history. My involvement's 1948/49, unfortunately without photographs. I spent nearly a year in the RAF Air Sea Rescue base, that was known as the dock. In this time my appreciation of the people of Invergordon, particularly the girls of my age (19) - Marie especially, as good friends. But where are they all? Surely I'm not the sole survivor? The Scottish dances in the hall served me in good stead for many years into the future as a near master of cultural Scot's dancing. If I am interested in pursuing this possible line of inquiry, it is because my time in Invergordon ceased to exist after late 1949, and I am reluctant end it there. I have vivid memories of the time I spent there and would like to hear from any one who could fill in a few gaps: Invergordon in the years I was there, when it was a village(?) before the oil people(!) and after the Royal Navy base, as a base for the Fleet. A delightful town of genuine people and a few ex prisoners-of-war of the Luftwaffe. For me a delightful experience. Eric H

does anyone have a photograph of Inverbreakie farmhouse? I would be greatly interested. many thanks Patricia

Invergordon was a huge importance in my life. I loved the people, and their contribution to my appreciation of the Scots, their whisky "Glenmorangy" especially.

Hello Invergordon, Thank you for 'Seaforth' pics. My Father: Late CSM. 'JOE' 1st. SH 1926/45, was Sgt. Instructor 4/5th. Dingwall 1930s appx. a Brother also buried there! The pics important re. 'Uniform and and Bttn. memories' only one pic in Family of 'Dad kilted! The site much appreciated, wish a few more would 'REMEMBER'! Good fortune to you all, Caber Feidh. M.E.C. (1st SH Brat)

Great site and well presented!

Excellent site, very interesting - keep up the good work.

Owing to work commitments I have just recently been informed about this site...must say I enjoy trawling through it...nice to be able to add a bit of info from the old memory banks from time to time...thanks for the memories..duncan murray..

I love this site - I have lived in Invergordon since I was 8 (1973) so I know there is so much more that can be added. What about the gala's we used to have - fancy dress floats and of course the gala queens - surely someone out there must have some photos of these events? Keep up the good work.

I am trying to compile a book of memories in photographic and comment form for my mother, Rosalie Graham (from Clyde Street) born 1939. If anyone can help, please email... Many thanks.

I am trying to find any information on the old Inn in Milton, so if anyone remembers ANYTHING at all please get in touch.

I love this site and check in often, reading people's memories and hoping to pick up a rellie or two. I have Mitchell Munro and Ross' from the area. Most of the Mitchells were born in High Street in the early 1900s but two of them were born at Victoria Cottage, Invergordon. Does anyone know where this was and was it the home of a midwife or something?? Thanks Hil

A great web site and all the pictures make me want to be there where my ancestors have been. A forum or discussion board would be nice where people like myself (in Canada) could get comments from local people. I am coming next year and looking for all the info I can get. Anna

What a tremendous and fascinating site with fabulous photos of Invergordon people and area. Everyone involved has done a wonderful job! I will continue to check back to see if there is any additional connection or information to Ross family of Barbaraville/Portleich.

My father's half brother Billy Hermitage lived in Invergordon and raised six children with Bobby. My grandmother Laura and my step grandfather are buried in Invergordon. We have unfortunately lost touch. I would love to hear from any of my cousins. I believe Keith was the eldest and he was once in the Army; then there were twins my age (born 1952ish). My father was Charles Woodard.

A great website, and for people looking for ancestors, great to see all these pictures.

I went to Invergordon Academy and left in 1999. I played for the Invergordon Academy hockey team. I would love to have a photo of the team I played with so if anyone has any I would be very grateful if you would send it to me or put it on the site. Thank you very much, Samantha.

Absolutely wonderful! I was transfixed and decorating the Christmas tree forgotten. So many memories and surprises. I found myself and my sister on the site but more astonishingly a photo of my cousin Richard who I never met. This is the best site I have found after 3 years of browsing. I have made many comments to photos. Many thanks. I would be delighted to have contact with anyone who may have tales to swop. Bill(y) Geddes.

a cracking site, super job

Visited the museum this summer and was horrified to see that in the school photos I've become a "museum piece" along with all my class mates. Great accompaniment to the museum as a means of extending the info available about the town, people and events. Thought the e-mail addresses were protected. Wasn't there some ref to that when I first visited? (Yes, they are protected from being picked up by spammers - Administrator)

I am really enjoying this site. The comments are very interesting!

Great web site so glad I found it. Seeing the old pictures brings back many very happy memories with family. Wish I found it years ago.

Very good web site Invergordon from 1972 to 1984. Nice work.

I am delighted to see my Mum on this internet site which I have just discovered thanks to Agnes Cunningham. What next, I wonder. This was my first pic (No. 17), which surely means I need to begin My Own Album. Thanks to everybody who made this possible.

Hi Caroline Because you've made your album public, if your family click on the 'Visitors' link at the top of the page they can see your album. Or you can email them the full address - www.theoldhometown.com/invergordon/visitors.asp?visid=936

Dear Malcolm, Have spent a good hour when I should be in my bed browsing through this great site (on my cousin's recommendation). I've now set up my own album, but am not sure how I let my family see it. Any advice? Best wishes and thanks for setting it all up!

A fascinating site. My great grandfather was Hector Macdonald, Invergordon shoemaker in the 1870's. Married to Catherine Simpson in Inverness in 1864. His house and shop were at No 7 High Street (seen I think in pictures 144, 148, 354). My grandfather was Thomas Macdonald, birth recorded in Rosskeen Parish 6 Dec 1870. His brothers were David, Hector and William and sisters Jessie, Annie, Margaret(1) and Margaret (2). I visited Invergordon in May this year, a kind of homage to my origins.

I saw a poster in a local newagents for this new local website. would it be possible to have some of your posters to put up on display in Invergordon Library, we get a lot of customers doing local reaserch and this site could be very useful for our customers and ourselves when dealing with postal enquiries. Many Thanks Gillian Rattigan Library Assistant Invergordon Library

Please leave your comments about this site here - comments about individual pictures can be added on each one's page.