The Invergordon Archive

So, this is the house on the Castle grounds. Nice to see it is still there. Does anyone live in it now?
I agree it is a beautiful house in a beautiful setting Malcolm.

Harry, I think Liz covered this in her comments regarding picture #122. The Castle grounds must have been a perfect setting for the Games. The field is unchanged - the grass is a bit taller - and the flag pole still stands in the middle.

This is a very good picture Malcolm. I hadn't seen the house in years, it looks like it is in the style of the Arts and Crafts Movement and the setting is wonderful.

Harry, I think Daphne Mackenzie, the widow of the late Col HAC Mackenzie still lives in this house. The Mackenzie's had something to do with Dalmore Distillery. It is a beautiful house with lovely grounds. Such a shame that they had to move the games down to the Rec a few years back. The Games have never been the same since.

The Games were the high point of the town's year. The town thronged with people and the Castle Road was packed with folk making their way down to the games field (very few came by car in those days). The woods around the field were dotted with pipers trying to find a quiet spot to tune their pipes. The events lasted from about 10am to 5pm. The "heavy" events were very popular, especially the caber tossing. All day long there would be dancers performing (Scottish, Irish & Hornpipe) and pipers playing. The funfare would be in full swing and the beer tent did fantastic business. Toffs strutted around in plus fours and furs and town and country people from all around had a great day (makes me think of Robert Burns "Holy Fair"). The climax of the day was the massed Pipe Bands - sometimes as many as 10 bands together..what a sound! This was followed by a Royal Marine Band looking glorious in Number One uniforms with white pith helmets. They "Beat the Retreat" and ended by playing the "Evening Hymn" followed by the "Last Post". Even today when I hear that music I think of Invergordon and I get a lump in my throat! The wonderful setting and the echoing of the bugles around the Games Field created an atmosphere which lifted the hairs on the back of your neck...lovely memories!

When I was a kid this house was known as the 'Major's house' and just along a bit was the haunted house which I think was a public house at one time.

It certainly was an arena type setting for the games and as a child the walk or, as a treat, the bus up to the Polish Memorial built up the excitement. It is a shame a compromise couldn't have been reached about the field.

Yes, a great picture which kindles great memories. I remember saving my pocket money for weeks so I could spend it all on Hercher's shows! I also remember Games days when in the Scouts, when we used to run messages from events to the announcer - I wonder if they still do that? If they do they'll probably use mobile phones! Been meaning to get back to the Games for years, but the Rec just doesn't have the same attraction.

What nostalgia!!! Bill, your comments bring it all back. All the bands marching down the lovely wide High Street (as it was then!!) - you could see the bands from the British Legion all the way down. Happy days.

I am wondering if anyone has any info about Captain James MacKenzie? He was the son of Daphne and Col HAC MacKenzie. James died in 1984. I am trying to find any photos, obituary etc.

Hi there I am in the middle of buying this house at the moment so am trying to get any old pictures etc of the house if anyone has any. Unfortunately Daphne Mackenzie passed away last year and her sons have sold the house. They still own all the surrounding land and games field you are talking about they seem very nice men and have a big attachment to the grounds and area and also what the house was and what there parents had there. I dare say they would maybe entertain the idea of having a small version of the games. Any past info etc on the house would be really welcome again.

A shame that the old haunted house has been burnt down. It used to scare the life out of us.

I worked there as a carer for Daphne and have fond memories of this beautiful house I was there about a year 2012 and it will stay in my memories forever.

My grand parents Major General and Mrs Graham lived at Roskeen in the 1950’s. I remember many wonderful holidays and lots of events and episodes of family life there. They had a wonderful garden with lots of hens and ducks. I remember falling through a hole in the bridge into the burn, only the holes on one side of the bridge had been repaired!!! I have a rather faded picture of my grandparents sitting in front of the house with their dog Bungie.

The Haunted House as some people called it, was actually the 'laundry' for the castle. For some reason the house had bars on the windows. The kennels for the dogs were in the middle of an adjoining field. The stables were converted into houses and are still in use as far as I know.

Daphne and HAC Mackenzie were great friends of my mother in South Africa. We stayed with them when I was a youngster and enjoyed their wonderful hospitality. I am in Scotland and would love to revisit.

Good memories playing down there in the woods when I was younger

My mother married Roy Mackenzie, eldest son of Sir William Martineau of Kincraig in 1925 and lived at the house of Rosskeen. He would have inherited Kincraig but he died young and Kincraig was inherited by my half brother Robin Mackenzie. Roy changed his name to Mackenzie from Martineau for inheritance reasons. I’m not sure how long they lived at Rosskeen for but not long I think as they moved to Elgin and also Roy was stationed in India and Palestine for two years each before he died of pneumonia in I think 1937.

A Lady Anderson lived in this house in the 1950's. I am surprised nobody mentions her,,

Further my comment on a Lady Anderson, she is shown in picture #322 which also mentions this house..

I was Mrs Daphne Mckenzies carer for a year at this beautiful house she was such a nice lady. Fond memories of my time there when Daphne wasn't in very good health. She adored the house so much we had a lovely Christmas in which royalty attended her party. Roderick her son and Lucilla her daughter were very kind to me up there.

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