Golspie Main Street, shore side from West End to East End
Many of the people shown below lived in what is now Shore Street
G059
Number on Estate plan 55 – Shore Street
Built by Alexander MACDONALD in 1818, owned by Adam MACDONALD in 1850 - this may be the house William MACDONALD, Kennedy, fisherman held in 1860
G060
Number on Estate plan 56 – Shore Street
Built by Robert SUTHERLAND in 1835 - owned by him in 1850
G061
Number on Estate plan 57 – Shore Street
Built by Christian CHISHOLM in 1826 - owned by Alexander GRANT in 1850 - there was an Alexander Grant, junior living here in 1860
G062
Not shown on 1850 plan but house here in 1860 – there was a Hector MACDONALD, fisherman in this house
G063
Not shown on 1850 plan but house here in 1860 – Adam MACDONALD, fisherman in the next house to Hector MACDONALD
G064
Not shown on 1850 plan but house here in 1860 – Shore Street – Donald SUTHERLAND, Graisich, fisherman, in the next house to Adam Macdonald
G065
Not shown on 1850 plan but house here in 1860 – Alexander GRANT senior, fisherman, next to Donald Sutherland (G058)
G066
Not shown on 1850 plan but house here in 1860 – John SUTHERLAND, fisherman, next to Alexander Grant
G067
Number on Estate plan 58
Built by Andrew SUTHERLAND in 1820 - owned by him in 1850 - 1860 Andrew SUTHERLAND still lived here, fisherman
G068
Not shown on 1850 plan
1860 a Donald SUTHERLAND lived between Andrew Sutherland above and Donald SUTHERLAND Davie
G069
Number on Estate plan 59 – Shore Street
Built by Donald MACDONALD in 1820 - Owned by John and William MACDONALD in 1850
1860 John MACDONALD Mhor and William MACDONALD Mhor lived here possibly now two houses
G070
Number on Estate plan 60 – Shore Street
Built by Alexander SUTHERLAND in 1822 - owned by him in 1850 - Alexander SUTHERLAND, Graisich, still here in 1860, fisherman
G071
Not shown on 1850 plan
1860 John MACKAY, tailor, lived between Alexander Sutherland above and Alexander Sutherland below
G072
Number on Estate plan 61 – Shore Street
Built by Janet MACDONALD in 1822 - owned by Alexander SUTHERLAND in 1850 - Alexander Sutherland, fisherman, still here in 1860
G073
Number on Estate plan 62 – Shore Street
Built by John MACDONALD in 1820 - owned by him in 1850 - Widow MACDONALD, Baikie, fisher’s widow lived here in 1860
G074
Number on Estate plan 63 – Shore Street
Built by John SUTHERLAND in 1820 - owned by him in 1850
G075
Number on Estate plan 64 – Shore Street
Built by Alexander URQUHART in 1818 - owned by Alexander and Donald SUTHERLAND in 1850
G076
Number on Estate plan 65 – Shore Street
Built by John MACDONALD in 1818 - owned by Adam MACDONALD in 1850
G077
Number on Estate plan 66 – Shore Street
Built by Catherine SUTHERLAND in 1820 - owned by Jean SUTHERLAND in 1850
G078
Number on Estate plan 67 – Shore Street
Built by Alexander SUTHERLAND in 1830 - owned by him in 1850
G079
Number on Estate plan 68 – Shore Street
House built by Margaret SUTHERLAND in 1825. Owned by John POLSON in 1850
John, born circa 1820 in Ross-shire, a mason, seems to be the husband of Alexander and Margaret Sutherland’s daughter Eliza. They were all living together in this house in 1851
G080
Number on Estate plan 69 – Shore Street
Built by Alexander SUTHERLAND in 1819 - owned by Widow SUTHERLAND in 1850
G081
Number on Estate plan 70 – Shore Street
Built by John SUTHERLAND in 1819 - owned by John SUTHERLAND (Noe) in 1850
G082
Number on Estate plan 71 – Shore Street
William SUTHERLAND built the house in 1814. William was the first fisherman to move into the new village. He took this stance on the shore side of the street towards the western end. In 1819 four more were taken by fisherman and in 1820 a further seven bought stances. Now there was a new Fishertown in Golspie. James SUTHERLAND Davie owned this house in 1850 He was still there in 1860
G083
Not shown in 1850
In 1860 a John GRANT, fisherman lived between James Sutherland, Davie and the Macrae house
G084
Number on Estate plan 72 – Shore Street
Built by James MACRAE in 1819 - owned by Robert MACRAE in 1850 - 1860 still here, fisherman
G085
Not shown on 1850
In 1860 Robert MACRAE junior, fisherman, lived here
G086
Number on Estate plan 73 – Shore Street
Built by John URQUHART, fisherman 1819 - owned by him in 1850 his widow lived here in 1860
G087
Not shown in 1850
1860 a fisher’s widow, Widow MACRAE lived in the house next to Widow Urquhart in 1860
G088
Not shown in 1850
John MACKAY, ploughman here in 1860 living next to Widow Macrae
G089
Not shown in 1850
James MACDONALD Kennedy, fisherman living next to John MACKAY in 1860
G090
Not shown in 1850
James MACKAY, tailor living next to James Macdonald in 1860
G091
Not shown in 1850
George MACKAY, carter living next to James Mackay in 1860
G092
Number on Estate plan 74 – Shore Street
Built by George SUTHERLAND in 1820 - owned by Elspeth SUTHERLAND in 1850
G093
Number on Estate plan 75 – now known as White House
Built by William MACRAE in 1820 - owned by Widow MACRAE in 1850
(Built in 1820; 99 year lease from Sutherland Estates granted to Sea Captain Andrew Macrae, Cromarty; sold to John Mackay in 1919.) Source: current owner.
G094
Number on Estate plan 76 – former gift shop (Mrs Macpherson) – now Spar shop
Donald MACDONALD built the house in 1809 - James MACDONALD owned it in 1850
LANE
G095
Number on Estate plan 77 – could be at rear of Aulden – see following reference
Built by Widow John Gray in 1844 - owned by her in 1850
LANE
G096
Number on Estate plan 78 – formerly Wilson’s Buildings – now known as Aulden
Built by Lady Stafford in 1820 - owned by the Duke of Sutherland for paupers in 1850
G097
Number on Estate plan 79 – now known as Sharin - formerly Tiree
Built by William CALDER in 1820 - owned by William MACDONALD in 1850
G098
Number on Estate plan 80 – now known as Glendhu
Donald MACRAE built the house in 1814 - Widow MACRAE owned it in 1850
G099
Number on Estate plan 81 – now known as Clyde Bridge
Built by William MACRAE in 1843 - owned by him in 1850 - William Macrae, tailor, here in 1860 – a William Macrae tailor is shown on our Trades People list in 1837 also
LANE
G100
Number on Estate plan 82 – now known as Marian House
Built by John GORDON in 1834 - owned by him in 1850 - John Gordon was still here in 1860, a carter.
G101
Number on Estate plan 83 – now Trawler Restaurant
Built by Alexander MURRAY in 1837 - owned by him in 1850
This is probably the house where Alexander ANDERSON, tailor, was living in 1860 – he was between John Gordon and Alexander Murray. In the 1861 census Alexander ANDERSON, age 33, born in Tain, a master tailor lived here with his wife Ann GORDON, age 21, born in Golspie and their children – the family remained her until at least 1891 when Alexander, a widower, moved to Ross-shire to live with a daughter. Family Information
G102
Number on Estate plan 84 – now Grant & Sons, Butchers
Built by Alexander MURRAY in 1846 - owned by him in 1850 - still there in 1860
LANE
G103
Number on Estate plan 85 & 86 - now 95 Main Street – formerly Hynd’s Buildings, Marchmont, Co-op drapery and now Kirkland Communications.
Originally two houses built by Charles SUTHERLAND, son of Andrew Sutherland, tacksman and merchant in Pittentrail, Rogart and in Golspie in 1820. Charles also held the feu of Roviekirkton in Rogart. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William KEITH, minister of Golspie
House 85 owned by Mrs DUNCAN in 1850
House 86 owned by widow of Colin GRANT in 1850 – she also owned no. 96 – Colin Grant shows on 1826 militia list as a vintner in Golspie.
In 1867 (possibly both houses) were owned by a William FOWLER
“Tall, former Co-op with a strong Scottish Renaissance flavour, its cured corner corbelled out at wallhead as a square, crowstepped caphouse, a circular stair-turret projects at the rear” (“Sutherland, An Architectural Guide” Elizabeth Beaton, 1995)
G104
Number on Estate plan 86 – see above reference
G105
Number on Estate plan 87
Andrew ROSS built the house in 1808 - Mrs DUNCAN owned it in 1850
G106
Number on Estate plan 88 – now known as Beachview
Alexander MACKAY built house in 1800. The Duke of Sutherland owned it in 1850
G107
Number on Estate plan 89 – now known as Duffas House
Donald CALDER built house built the house in 1790. He bought 3 stances, this one, 90 and 91. This house and the two extra stances were bought by Mrs John Low (Margaret Sutherland), wife of John, merchant and daughter of Andrew Sutherland, tacksman of Pittentrail, Rogart and merchant of Golspie. Margaret was a widow by 1850 and held interest in eleven separate properties in Main Street. In 1851 she is shown as a draper and grocer. She died in 1879 aged 89. She is buried in St Andrew’s churchyard.
Mrs John LOW owned it in 1850
G108
Number on Estate plan 90 & 91 - Formerly North of Scotland Dairy - now Mitchell’s Chemist
Built by Mrs LOW in 1844 - owned by her in 1850
G109
Number of Estate Plan 92
Built by Mrs LOW in 1844 – owned by her in 1850
G110
Number on Estate plan 93 & 94 – now Chinese Takeaway – formerly Campbell’s Bicycle shop
Andrew MACLEOD built the house in 1815 - Andrew MACLEOD owned it in 1850
G111
Number on Estate plan 95 Number on Estate plan
Formerly Smithy Lane - now Campbell’s Lane. Owner of Chinese Takeaway lives here at present.
Built by The Duke of Sutherland in 1849 - owned by him in 1850
G112
Number on Estate plan 96 – name not known but there is a house here
Built by Charles SUTHERLAND in 1818 who also built no. 96 - owned by widow of Colin GRANT in 1850 – she also owned no. 96
G113
Number on Estate plan 97 – formerly Sutherland & Co., Drapers (run by Sinclair), now 2nd Best Charity Shop
Built by Lord Stafford in 1822 - owned by the Duke of Sutherland in 1850
G114
Number on Estate plan 98
Built and owned by William BEGG in 1850 - William was still there in 1860, a merchant
G115
Number on Estate plan 99 – formerly The Northern Times now Golspie Paper Shop
Lord Stafford built the house in 1810 - Duke of Sutherland owned it is 1850 - John ARMSTRONG, plumber, lived here in 1860
G116
Number on Estate plan 100 – formerly Grants of Dornoch, now an Optician
Built by Andrew LINDSAY in 1832 - when Andrew built this house he was a blacksmith and ironmonger with two children born in Golspie, Elizabeth in 1818 and James in 1820. Listed in Trades People 1837 as blacksmith and ironmonger - he died about 1845 when his widow Henrietta carried on the business. She had been his second wife, his first having died soon after James’s birth and she was left with six young children of her own to care for plus her two step-children. James at first followed his father’s trade but soon set up on his own extending his business successfully. Lindsay’s operate on Main Street today.
Mrs Lindsay lived here in 1860, ironmonger. She is shown with her children in the 1851 census.
G117
Number on Estate plan 101 – now Caberfeidh Hotel
Built by David BELL in 1832 - owned by the Duke of Sutherland in 1850 - Thomas FRASER, parish schoolmaster lived here in 1860
LANE
G118
Number on Estate plan 102 - now known as Craigmhor
Built by Alexander MACKAY in 1832 - owned by Widow MACKAY in 1850 - Donald MACKAY, tailor, here in 1860. Donald is shown on our 1837 Trades People list as a tailor. The 1861 census shows Donald living alone. He was born in Golspie circa 1799.
G119
Not shown on 1850 plan but house here in 1860
Donald GRANT, carter lived here in 1860 – between Donald Mackay, tailor and John Ross, tinsmith
G120
Number on Estate plan 103 - now known as Lonemore
Built by Andrew MACGREGOR in 1832 - owned by John ROSS in 1850 – shown on 1837 Trades People list as tin-plate worker - John Ross, tinsmith, here in 1860
LANE
G121
Number on Estate plan 104 – now known as Melford House (formerly owned by the Lindsay family)
Built by Alexander ROSS in 1835 - owned by James MURRAY in 1850 – James Murray, draper shown on our 1837 Trades People list - James MURRAY, merchant, here in 1860 Family Information
LANE
G122
Number on Estate plan 105 – formerly Oman's House, now known as Cairnlea
Built by Hugh MACGREGOR in 1833 - owned by him in 1850 - living here in 1860 was James MUNRO, Cartwright
Read Sheila Mackay's Memories of living in this house
G123
Number on Estate plan 106 – formerly a shop – now dentist
Built by David GUNN in 1822 - owned by Donald GUNN in 1850 - David Gunn, shoemaker lived here in 1860 – he is also shown on the 1837 Trades People list
G124
Number on Estate plan 107 – now known as Benula
Build by Donald GUNN in 1822 - owned by him in 1850 - Donald Gunn, shoemaker, lived here in 1860
G125
Number on Estate plan 108 – now known as Mountainview
Built by John ROSS in 1826 - owned by him in 1850 - Widow John Ross, a midwife, lived here in 1860
Read Allan Lannon's Memories of living next to this house
G126
Number on Estate plan 109 – now A G Campbell fish shop
Built by John LOW in 1833 - owned by Mrs LOW in 1850 - Mrs Low, innkeeper and merchant, here in 1860 - William WATSON, carpenter, lived in this house in 1860
G127
Number on Estate plan 110 – formerly Tarbat Cottage now known as Seacrest*
Number on Estate plan 111 – now known as Helensville*
Seacrest and Helensville are described as “early 19th century pair 2-storey, 3-bay houses”.
“Seacrest was built in 1818 by George Henry, a single storey house. A second storey was added later probably in 1832 when John LOW built Helensville on the next stance. Both John Low and his wife Margaret, daughter of the wealthy Andrew SUTHERLAND of Pittentrail, Rogart, were successful merchants and in 1833 they added a shop, attached to the west gable of Seacrest. They also built a tiled byre, cart shed, washhouse and stable in the back areas. Low died in 1844 but his widow continued the shop as a drapers until her own death in 1879 when it was taken over and developed still further in this line by Charles MACLEAN, married to a daughter of James LINDSAY, ironmonger” (M Grant Wilson).
* Seacrest and Helensville are listed buildings
G128
Number on Estate plan 112
Shows on plan but no information
G129
Number on Estate plan 113 & 114 – now known as Clach Ruadh* and Anvil House*
Described as “Pair early 19th Century 2-storey houses of slightly different builds - former smithy to rear” – built in 1837 as a single long house on the double stance taken by Neil Macleod, a middle-aged mason who had been an apprentice working at the castle in 1810 and who had reared a large family. In 1850 the east end of the house was occupied by Dr. James Ross of Cambusmore who was building a large house for himself near the church. Date of Smithy not yet ascertained. Not marked in 1850 plan but is indicated on 1873 OS map. It is still in use (1985).
Neil Macleod, mason, here in 1860 – Neil was also listed as a stone-mason on our 1837 Trades People list
* These two properties are classed as ‘listed’ buildings
G130
This is the spot that is LINDSAY’s* main shop today. On Estate plan 100 – Andrew Lindsay had started the business in 1832. His son James later started up on his own here. He married Mary Richardson and they had three children Andrew, born in 1848, Elizabeth who married Charles Maclean – and Alice who married James Mennie, Golspie’s first qualified dispensing chemist.
The building is described as “mid-19th century 2-storey shop and house”. Built in 1852 by James Lindsay on the easternmost third of Neil Macleod’s double stance – see previous reference – the house portion being joined on to the end of Macleod’s long house which had been vacated by Dr Ross in 1851
* listed building
LANE
G131
Number on Estate plan 115 – now known as Glenorrin
No information
G132
Number on Estate plan 116 - formerly Snow Cottage, now Lindsay & Co. Showroom
Built by Angus MACKAY in 1843 - owned by him in 1850
G133
Number on Estate plan 117 – now known as Rosedene
Built by Alexander MACKAY in 1843 - owned by him in 1850
G134
Number on Estate plan 118 now known as Seaview
William MACKAY built the house in 1814 - William MACKAY owned it in 1850
This appears to be where two unmarried sisters of Donald Murray, draper lived. The Misses Murrays had a Daimler car and hired Innes Gordon who lived next door to the Co-op, on the Fountain Road side, to chauffeur them around! The car was kept in a garage which was dismantled and sold to a man in Caithness very recently.
LANE
G135
County Offices
G136
Post Office
G137
Number on Estate plan 119 – now known as Ceol-na-mara and Morven
Built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1847 - owned by him in 1850
G138
Number on Estate plan 120
No information
G139
Number on Estate plan 121
Built and owned by Dr. James ROSS of Cambusavie in 1850 – this house was said to be next to the British Linen Bank, where the Parliamentary road passed in front of the church – but as the road changed it is now opposite. As well as the house Dr Ross put up a stable and gig-shed and was granted a 99 year lease. He had previously been sharing a house on the opposite side of the road with Neil Macleod.
G140
Number on Estate plan 122
Built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1840 - owned by him in 1850
G141
Number on Estate plan 123
No information
G142
Number on Estate plan 124
Build by Lord Stafford in 1826 - owned the Duke of Sutherland in 1850
G143
Number on Estate plan 125
Built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1843 - owned by him in 1850
G144
Number on Estate plan 126
No information
G145
Number on Estate plan 127 - 131 – now Duke Street
George ALEXANDER built houses on a number of stances in 1812 – he is shown on our 1837 Trades People list as a plasterer - Duke of Sutherland owned it in 1850 – the present day Estate Office and architect’s office replaced George Alexander’s original houses.
The present Duke Street area was originally part of Golspie Kirkton, comprising the Kirk (church), the manse and the school. A few houses lined the old road leading from the Kirk to the ford and little bridge over the burn, part of the route to the north. At the beginning of the 19th century the main road was formed turning inland after passing the church and running uphill to the newly built Golspie Inn and the mills and then, turning right, passing on the north side of the castle. Many of the original dwellings in old Kirkton had become decrepit and were being replaced by well built houses occupied by fairly well-off people and the name of the area was changed to Golspie Burn.
In 1850 a James SUTHERLAND, baker rented the first of the two new houses built by the Duke. His little bakery shop is now known as ‘The Wee Shop’.
Note: From here it is very confusing. As we read above the road which we now know as the A9 was altered. The original Estate plan seems to go in a type of horseshoe and we now need to do some guesswork!! I believe that G147 which refers to Angus Ross – is the same Angus Ross as shown in the Linen Bank reference G006. See also G139 which talks of ‘being next to’ but is nowadays on the opposite side of the road. All this leads me to believe that the following reference G146 may be in Duke Street and that G147 – 151 are on the opposite side of the road.
G146
Number on Estate plan 132 & 133
Built by James DAVIDSON on 2 stances in 1834 - owned by the Duke of Sutherland in 1850
G147
Number on Estate plan 134 & 135 – this may be where the Golspie Bowling club is today
Angus ROSS built house on 2 stances in 1808 - owned by the Duke of Sutherland in 1850
G148
Number on Estate plan 136
Built by the Duke of Sutherland in 1846 - owned by him in 1850
G149
Number on Estate plan137 – this is probably the house known today as Rostellan – see G004
Built by James BRANDER in 1820 – James is shown on militia list as a writer in Golspie - owned by the Duke of Sutherland in 1850 – see also G010
G150
Number on Estate plan 138 – this could be The Hollies – see G003
Built by Lord Stafford in 1829 - owned by the Duke of Sutherland in 1850
G151
Number on Estate plan 139 & 140 – this could be the school shown in G002
Built by the Free Church in 1845 - owned by them in 1850
Photograph album MAIN STREET - take time to view our Golspie albums also
Last updated 1st October 2008