The Invergordon Archive

I can throw a little light on the date for this. The House on the right was where I grew up. We moved there in about 1971 and one of the first things we did was remove the old high hedge at the front of the house and replace it with the low wall you can see in the picture. Therefore I would say this was about 1971 - 72. The traffic cone also helps to date it and the old car was just a red herring. And just for trivial info the bedroom window you can see was mine till my sister moved out and I got a bigger room!!! lol

This photograph reminds me of a couple of things. I was christened in this church in 1949 by The Right Reverand Dr Fraser, who was minister there for many years and I also remember singing there on quite a number of occasions as a 1st/2nd year soprano soloist, under the watchfull eye and ear of Ewan Stewart, whom I thought was a great character and ranked alongside Jock Watt as one of my two favourite teachers. I also sang in the choir and in a trio with Edmund Stainke and Leslie Millham, who also lived in Kildary at the time. I think it was "We Three Kings of Orient Are" we performed, not only in Invergordon Church but also in others around Easter Ross. My memory of the house on the right was that it was owned pre Stuarts time by Dr Auchterlonie, another great character and a very well liked and respected G.P. Indeed I was up visiting my mother in Kildary this week-end and she was expressing her tremendous liking for Dr Auchterlonie and the faith she had in him. Of course she doesn't believe any of the current-day doctors can hold a candle to him.

I think the house that Dr Achterlonie occupied is next door to this one. It's the one that has all the wood on the outside (currently painted green) and occupied by Neil Bremner and his family. I may be wrong though!!

Was the first house not Dr Auchterlonie's and the next one up was occupied by the Donaldson family? This would have been 70s and 80s, son Stuart, daughter Morag. Or was it the other way round??? Jillian, the house you can see in the picture - is that still Mark Shewan the electrician's house?

To add to John Fraser's and Jillian's comments, we bought the house from Dr Auchterlonie and his wife as they owned both houses at the time and were selling one after his retirement as the first house in the picture had been used as the surgery before his retirement. I remember his wife was also a character having been deputy rector at the academy and a language teacher. I also remember Ewan Stewart as being the music teacher and the name Jock Watt brings back vague memories. Was he a PE teacher?

The first house belonged to Dr Auchterlonie - can remember getting treated there after getting a deep cut under my right eye whilst running around the fair.

Remember Dr. Auchterlonie well. He sent me to the infirmary in Inverness then in the evening came down to my Grannie's house (Mrs Mackenzie, Clyde Street) to see how I was. (I had an emergency operation!!) They don't make G.P.s like that now.

Stuart - you are correct in that Dr Aucterlonie lived in Red House on the corner of Castle Road and Joss St with the Surgery entrance on Joss St. He then moved to the second house nearest to the church in later years.
I think you are confusing Dr Auchterlonie's wife with her sister who taught History and Languages at the Academy. She was the wife of Donald MacFarlane, the English teacher knicknamed "Lofty" and his wife "Tich"

Yes Stuart, you are correct, Jock Watt was the Head PE Teacher at Invergordon Academy. If I remember correctly Jock went on to fill a senior role with the council based in Dingwall and living in Strathpeffer. I can't remember the job title but it was associated with sport, probably Director of Sport etc. I used to see him fairly frequently at Ross County matches with his brother David Watt who was Editor of the Ross-shire Journal.

In answer to the comment posted by anon: yes the Donaldson's did live in this house prior to Mark Shewan - he no longer lives there. Mark and his partner Jackie now live in the South Lodge area - not sure who bought the house after him.

Sorry to throw cold water on this but if we are talking about the first house in the picture then - yes, Mark Shewan did live there from approx 1980/81 but I reckon that was who we sold to (he was a builder or electrician or similar) and we bought direct from the Auchterlonies in about '71. So am not sure about where the Donaldsons come into the picture I am afraid.

I was sure I can remember the Donaldsons staying in the first house on the corner with Joss Street, but may be wrong (as usual!!). I can find out as I still see Morag occassionally as we work for the same organisation. I'll ask her and post her reply when I get it, to hopefully clear things up.

I recently visited Invergordon and was keen to find a church when I visit my son who has moved to the town. I was on a short visit and was disappointed there was no sign on the church to say when Sunday worship started. My son said perhaps it is removed in the winter months. My family are not church-goers and I was keen to take my grandchildren to church as I do when they visit me. Help!
Barbara

Ach almost 7 months late with a reply Barbara but for future reference: Sunday service times at the Church of Scotland on Castle Road are 11.00am and 6.30pm.

Has Sunday school been changed from 3:00pm? On a warm summer day there was a lot of foot dragging to attend.

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