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There are 70 images in our collection which match the category of Businesses. Please select a photo to view it in more detail and to read comments from other visitors.

Showing 70 photos.

Milk marketing board staff, back row, Andy Ross, Joe Ubych, Jack Duff, Ross Macleod, Front row John Ross, Johnny Cattanach, Johnny Logue

Staff of Tain Milk Marketing Board.

1960 (1 comments)

An aerial photograph of one of the very early oil rig jackets, for the North Sea, being towed out from the flooded dry dock in the Highlands Fabricator Yard. The Images was donated to the museum by James Gilmour.

Highland Fabricators.

1977 (1 comments)

Very old photo of the Balnagown Hotel taken sometime between 1870-1890. Horse and traps like the one in the photo could be hired from the Balnagown Hotel.

Balnagown Hotel

1880

This picture shows the staff and a few locals including a postman outside Craigview and Alexander Blair's general merchants store. Built in 1903 it was and still is one of the most prominent buildings in Ardgay.

Craigview and Alexander Blair's store, Ardgay.

1910

This photo of the Grocer's shop James Ellis and Co. was taken just after the building was completed in around 1904/05 and you can see the rubble in the lower right hand corner of the photograph where the Post Office is being built. I'm afraid I don't know the names of anyone this time.

James Ellis & Co. General Merchants, Ardgay

1905

This is Ardgay village taken around 1916. It shows the Balnagown Arms Hotel with the old village hall and smiddy behind it. On the right of the photo are the two buildings from picture no. 454 and 457.The hotel was originally a farm house until it was converted about 1814/15 as an increasing number of travellers would have been using the newly opened bridge at Bonar (1812).

Balnagown Arms Hotel, Ardgay.

1916 (3 comments)

Although not a native of Tain, Ronnie Duncan was a well known Tain personality and lived most of his life in Tain. He is seen here plying his trade as an electrician, repairing one of the early TV sets in Donnie Shivas's workshop which was on King Street. He was a keen golfer and was for a time Secretary of Tain Golf Club. a member of Lodge St Duthus and amateur poet.
This image was scanned from one of George Hamilton's slides - another local personality and businessman. It was probably taken in the late 1950s/early 1960's.

Ronnie Duncan, Electrician

1960 (2 comments)

We believe this picture of a float was constucted by the Tain Scouts as part of the Tain Carnival of c1946/7. They are obviously making a social/political commentary. In the background is the old Co-op stores at the top of King Street, now occupied by Mr. Shafi's drapery business. Attached to this building on the left we can see the old bakehouse now long gone. This bakehouse was, among others, owned at one time by James Robertson, baker, who was Provost of Tain 1921-24. The last private baker to use it was Alexander before it was taken over by the Co-op.

Scout's Float, Tain Carnival, 1946/7

1946 (1 comments)

This picture, possibly taken in the 1950s shows four well known Tain businessmen enjoying a relaxing game of cards. George Hamilton had a draper's busines, first in the High Street, then in King Street (where Brambles Coffee Shop is today). Hector (

Canasta Party

1950 (8 comments)

This is taken from a slide by George Hamilton and shows Alistair Macdonald in his Provost's robe posing in the Council Chamber. He was Tain's Provost from 1954 till 1958 and was proprietor of the Tain Laundry and Lemonade Works, hence the nickname

Provost Alistair Macdonald - The Soda King

1956

This dramatic picture shows Neil D Forbes' garage going up in flames c1950, perhaps earlier. Given the close proximity of the petrol pumps the consequences could have been very serious. It was situated near the foot of Scotsburn Road and part of the concrete base on which the pumps stood can still be seen beside the pavement where the flower bed is close by.
The picture also shows part of the wall which surrounded

Garage Fire, Scotsburn Road

1950 (3 comments)

Alexander (Alick) Mactavish, seen here teeing off on the first tee at Tain Golf Club, was the solicitor son of Willaim T Mactavish, also solicitor in Tain (see Picture #399). This picture may have been taken in the 1920's when his prowess as a golfer was at its height. He was Secretary of the club from 1934-1952, Captain in 1929 and President 1957-58. Along with one or two other low handicappers of that time , he was one of the club's characters who saw no need for expensive golf equipment but played in his normal working clothes.

Alick Mactavish Tees off at Tain

1925 (1 comments)

William Tavish Mactavish (b. 1845, d. 1915) was a solicitor in Tain. He was the son of Alexander Mactavish, solicitor in Inverness. This picture was taken by William Smith, photographer in Tain, probably c1900-1910. Mr Mactavish is shown here with his wife (seated) and 3 sisters, the Misses Humphrey. Mrs. Mactavish was also a Humphrey. William's son Alexander (Alick) carried on his father's practice in Tain. See Picture #400.

Mr & Mrs W T Mactavish

1900

This motor cycle works belonging to G A Ross was at the corner of Queen Street and King Street, opposite Gladstone Buidings. Unfortunately as with many of our photos we have no date for this picture. An Easter Ross Almanack of 1910, lists a George A Ross as a

G A Ross, Tain Motor Cycle Depot

Date unknown

Provost William Ross is seen here congratulating Grace Ross on the occasion of her 90th Birthday. They are standing in the doorway of her house, Kilrenny, in Queen Street.

Provost Ross, who had a jewellry shop in Tain, is holding the famous hat which he always wore earning him the nickname of

Mrs. Grace Ross, Kilrenny

Date unknown (2 comments)

We hope that someone can help us identify the people in this image of an unknown family group. All we know is that it was taken in Tain in 1901. Wendy Atkinson who owns the original photograph has given us the following information which may or may not be related to the people in the photograph

Her grandmother, Joanna Ross Macdonald, was born in Tain and her great grandfather was a Hugh Ross Macdonald. Hugh was the son of a William Macdonald and Elizabeth Ross. William had a drapery business in Tain before he died in 1835. Wendy's mother spent her childhood holidays in Tain.

Family Group, Tain, 1901

1901 (4 comments)

The photo shows the Schooner

The Schooner "St. Duthus"

1900 (2 comments)

It is not clear whether some kind of market is being held or a public meeting of some kind but the photo shows what the old market place was like. The arched and wooden gated market stalls or stances in the background used to be rented mainly by merchants, such as the Grocers, John Gallie & Co, who had other shop premises in the town, presumably to benefit from the custom of those attending the markets. These stalls were converted in more recent times and are now

The Old Market Place, Tain

Date unknown

Inspite of the double exposure and the large crack this photograph (probably taken in the 1920's) is a fine record of an interesting by-gone scene. Donnie Shivas's uncle (known as

Double exposure - Royal Hotel / Sturd

1925

Pictured inside Tain Laundry Dry Cleaning Department are (right) proprietor Alastair Macdonald and manager, Douglas Walker. Mr Macdonald had previously owned a lemonade factory in Tain and was known as the

Douglas Walker and Alastair Macdonald

1966 (5 comments)

Alex Morrison of Morrison's, Tain, constuction company, and John Fisher Ross (Area Manager, Morrison's) are pictures with the sun dial donated by Alex Morrison for the newly constructed Rose Garden. The garden was created as part of Tain's 9th Centenary celebrations in 1966.
Picture, courtesy of the Scottish Field magazine.

Presentation of Sun Dial, Rose Garden, 1966

1966 (2 comments)

We think this picture dates to 1914-15. The sign says

Williamson's Show Rooms, Petley Place, Tain

1914 (22 comments)

This is one of several views we have of the house owned by the Anderson family in South Bonar. The Andersons owned a sawmill, the pier, local fishings and held land in the area. This picture shows Mrs Anderson with her daughter Mina who became Mrs Fergus McLeod of the Balnagown Arms in Ardgay. See Picture #55

Anderson's House, South Bonar

Date unknown (5 comments)

This William Smith studio photo would probably be taken around the end of the 19th/ beginning of the 20th Century. It shows 3 generations of Chisholms -

"Old Chisholm, the baker", Tain

Date unknown (17 comments)

This dramatic picture shows Cliff Moscati's Mussel Dredger

Mussel Dredger

1976 (4 comments)

This truck has obviously met with a serious accident. It belonged to A Ross & Sons, Contractors, Fearn. The crash took place in the early 1960's. Does anyone know the story behind the crash? Was anyone hurt?

Crashed Truck

1963 (1 comments)

Card produced by William Smith in 1855 advertising his latest photographic service. He was pretty up to date - the collodion process was introduced in 1850. He mentions having built a glasshouse. Unfortunately we do not know where this was, although his studio was right opposite the building that is now the museum on Castle Brae.

William Smith's business card

1855

We have no actual date for this line-up of four horsemen with their cart load of logs. It could possibly be the 1930's or even later. The rolling stock behind the carts includes 5 open trucks, a cattle truck, a closed van, a gurrd's van and one passenger coach. In the middle background is the slaughter house. The names John Ross, carter, and Davie Cowie are written on the back of this photgraph but with no indication where they are positioned.

Goods yard, Tain Station

1935

Spinningdale cotton mill, situated on the North shore of the Dornoch Firth was built in 1792 by George Dempster (owner of Skibo Estate) and David Dale, the successful industrialist and entrepreneur, who had already established a cotton mill complex along with Robert Owen at New Lanark. Although the site offered most of the usual requirements of a cotton mill - fast flowing burn for water power, climate damp enough to prevent cotton threads breaking, a means of importing the raw cotton, in this case by sea - the main reason for locating the factory here was to relieve poverty and unemployment.

Ironically, problems with the labour force was the main reason it was not successful. There was no tradition of factory work in the Highlands and workers absented themselves at lambing, peat cutting and harvesting times. Thus, when the building was gutted by fire in 1806, it was not deemed worthwhile to rebuild it and it remained a ruin. It is now in a precarious state so best viewed from the road.

Old Mill, Spinningdale

1900 (4 comments)

This view shows, to the left middle, the cemetery around the ruined chapel of St Duthus: to the right middle the golf clubhouse. The buildings in the centre background are chicken hatcheries owned by Commander Reggie Stone. and beyond that are the rifle ranges (the

View looking NE from Tain

1950

C W Ross(Charlie) had a stationers and booksellers business. It was in what is now part of Ross the Chemist (to the left hand side as you enter). He lived in Esther Place. He was also the Registrar for Tain and a keen photographer. He produced many post cards from his own photographs. Any of the images in this image library with the catalogue number 0152 are taken from an album of his photographs. His youngest and only surviving son, Bruce Ross, lives in Perth, Australia.

CW Ross

1940 (8 comments)

According to Pat Swanson, the stores counter at Tain Motors was used as a bar for the employees New Year holiday break up celebrations. Davie Ross was the car salesman and Tommy Rostock, the Garage Manager. He did not say to what extent the two are posing for the camera. If not, it looks as if the photo was taken well on into the celebrations.

Davie Ross and Tommy Rostock, New Year, 1966

1966 (2 comments)

This was taken outside the Chocolate Shop, which my grandfather Leo Pieraccini ran, in 1932, and from left to right the subjects are;
Peggy Shearer; Hugh Duff; Nellie Findlay with Ida Donnachie; Leo Pieraccini; Bobby MacLean;

The Chocolate Shop

1932 (33 comments)

Compared to Picture #249 the style of the windows and the clothing would suggest this photo shows the shop at a later date. There are also marks/holes in the stonework which could be where the fixtures shown in picture 249 were attached. The grills have also gone and the pavement appears to have been laid with Caithness flagstones. Note the much larger sign and the wicker hampers - probably awaiting collection and possibly containing clothes going off to Pullars for drying or cleaning. Although the sign is gone the shop is known to still have been a Pullars agent while trading under the name George Henderson.
the sign on the window is advertising

George Henderson, general draper c1910?

1910

Gordon Maitland (wearing the bowler hat) was one of the Maitland family of architects who were responsible for many of the fine buildings of Tain built in the latter part of the 19th and early part of the 20th Centuries. He was the grandson of the founder, Andrew Maitland, and worked in the business for over 20 years before leaving for Paris in the 1920's to take up sculpture. Also in this group, taken outside St Duthus Memorial Church is Dan Mackenzie (Dan

Gordon Maitland c1920?

1920

This is one of two views of the same shop. (See also Picture #250)
Neither photo is dated but judging from the style of clothing, the style of marketing with so many items festooning the outside of the building etc this would seem to be the earlier of the two. Note the

Henderson & Co, general draper

1900

Ross the Dairy's house and garden wall are on the left of this photo with Tommy Bogg's grocer shop beyond, later owned by Donald Leitch. St Andrew's Church can be seen at the far end. The buildings just before it to the left are now gone. That area of Manse Street was later developed for housing. See also Picture #248

Manse Street, 1895

1895 (10 comments)

The house on the left hand side of this view of Castle Brae, possibly belonging to a Miss Ross, was later taken over by St Duthus Press but has now been demolished. The Building which was later to become a shoe shop, then Wallace & Fraser and is currently Brown's Art Gallery, was according to the small notice above the door a

Castle Brae, 1930's/40's?

1940 (1 comments)

Here we see John Ross of Aldie Mill demonstrating turning grain in October 1963. The mill eventually closed in 1971. It was renovated and opened in 1996 as a tourist attraction and operated as such for a few years before being converted into a house.

John Ross, Aldie Mill

1963 (1 comments)

This firm was established in 1812. This photo taken in 1922 shows their High Street premises situated where the Royal Bank of Scotland building now stands replacing this building which was burnt down in 1957. ( see Picture #21) Wallace & Fraser continued in Castle Brae in a rather reduced form (in the building now occupied by Brown's Art Gallery). The array of goods in the windows give some idea of the

Wallace & Fraser, Ironmongers

1922 (10 comments)

This group of staff outside D Thomson & Co's workshop (in Scotsburn Road?) includes W Fraser and Andrew Ross, 3rd and 4th from left respectively.

D Thomson & Co, Tain

Date unknown (5 comments)

Back Row - ?
Middle Row L to R - J Macmillan, Alex Ross, Beatrice Shand, Peggy Patience, Alex Skinner, Margaret Ross, Bertie Macdonald, Jim Macmillan, Morag Cattanach, Hugh Grant
Front Row L to R - Margaret Fox, Elizabeth Macmillan, Enid Tree, Mr Souter (Post Master). Cathana Ross, Lizzie Anderson

GPO & Telephone Exchange Staff

1945 (4 comments)

We do not have the exact date of when this presentation took place in the Royal Hotel but it was while David Geekie was Provost so between 1945-49. The presence of Alastair Macdonald Proprietor) and Douglas Walker (Manager) suggests she was retiring from Tain Laundry.
L to R - Alf Gray, Minnie Gallie, Douglas Walker, Alastair W Macdonald, Mrs Macdonald, C MacLean (Tessie), Provost Geekie, June Geekie (later to become Mrs Douglas Walker), Mrs Geekie.

Presentation on retirement to Tessie MacLean

1947

The interesting thing about this picture of Tower Street is the appearance of the building second from the right. A private dwelling at the time the picture was taken, it was probably altered when it became a bank. It then became Mackenzie & Cormack, Solicitors - now Lawson Keir's office.

Tower Street, Tain

1900

This garage was located near the foot of Scotsburn more or less opposite what is now Scotsburn Garden Centre. St Duthus Lodge can be seen in the right background. It all seems very casual. Given the existence of the petrol pumps, this could have been a very serious incident. Nowadays the area would probably be cordoned off and anyone in the vicinity evacuated.

Neil Forbes' garage fire

1958

This picture was taken outside the shop of D W Shivas electricians, which is now the premises of T G Smart.
L to R : Irene Christie, Margaret Macandie, John Murray, Mrs Gregory, Annella Mackenzie.

Shivas staff

1965 (1 comments)

This W Smith photo shows a group of painters including Roderick Macleod, James (Big Urquhart ), Hugh Ross, R Macleod, James Mackenzie (Jeemack).

Painters R Macleod & son.

1910

William Smith (1824-1906) was a highly skilled and innovative photographer who throughout his long career photographed the scenes, occasions and people of his day and has left us with a vivid record of 19th century life. When he first moved to Tain he had a bookseller and newsagent business in the High Street then later had his studio and shop in Castle Brae. He was a church elder and became involved in all sorts of charitable work, most notably the Tain Ragged school.
There are a number of examples of his photos in this image library.

William Smith, Bookseller and Photographer

1870 (4 comments)

This garage was situated in Knockbreck road on the site of the present petrol pumps. The right hand side was the store and the left hand was the workshop. It later belonged to Fox & McLean.

Walker's Motor Garage.

1905 (3 comments)

This picture shows a group of motor cycles outside D. Mackay`s St Duthus Cycle and Motor Works in Sutherland Street. The group comprises five single motor-bikes and two motor-cycle combinations; the sidecar on one of these is of basket construction.

Cycle Works, Tain

1910

A group of mechanics and others showing a new Hudson motorcycle.

Group at D Mackenzie's garage.

1930 (1 comments)

This William Smith photo may be from the early 1900's. It shows what is now Gow Bakery and Tearoom, formerly Strachans, when the premises were divided into 3 shops - here an unnamed one, Dawson. Clothiers, and Glasgow House. See also Picture #82 Picture #109 Picture #111
Another interesting point is that the street name on the side of the building to the left says

High Street Tain looking east

1900 (10 comments)

This picture shows a group of workers in front of Glenmorangie distillery - L to R - Davie Cowie - Jock MacAngus - Willie John Bett - Archie Finlay - Don ? MacAngus - Alex Sangster - Jimmy MacAttie - Standing - Jimmy Forsyth - George Ross - Willie Bird - Harry Wood - Sitting - Relief Exciseman ( Thomson ? ) - C W Tresise -G L Smart - Billy Munro - Sitting in front - Billy Banks -Willie Ross.

Glenmorangie distillery.

1937 (3 comments)

This picture shows a group of fisherman in front of the bothy, being paid by Alex Cormack.

Tain Salmon fishing station

1895

This picture of Abbian House was taken sometime in the 1920's when it was the British Linen Bank and Bank House. The left hand part is now part of the Tain branch of the Bank of Scotland and the right hand part a private house. The gentleman, second from right, is Charles Ian Mackenzie who was the Bank Agent at the time. He was born at Rhamore, Edderton, in 1856.

Former British Linen Bank House

1925 (8 comments)

This picture shows staff and members of the public in front of the shops W urquhart, painter and decorator, and Grant & Co, general store.

Two High Street shops

1900 (3 comments)

This picture shows a group of staff and members of the public in front of R K Dawson's shop in the High Street. The shop was later taken by the Collie family also tailors and even later became part of Strachans the bakers now Harry Gows.

Group in front of R K Dawson, clothier

1900 (2 comments)

This picture shows a group of Austin cars outside the St Duthus Hotel. It probably dates back to the 1930`s or `40`s.

St Duthus Hotel

1930 (2 comments)

This is a group of strawberry pickers, around 1899-1900, in a field which used to be opposite the railway station. It was part of a nursery belonging to WG Holmes, Seed Merchant. The nursery mainly grew strawberries and fruit trees eg apples. pears, plums. It later became a football field and was known as Coronation Park. It is now a depot for a construction firm.
Standing at back L to R - Macrae or Campbell (?), Janet ? (Knockbreck St). WG Holmes, Alick Munro (Mounteagle), Bob Stenhouse, Mrs Macdonald, William Munro, George Oman, George Graham, Angus Hepburn; group of three at LHS - ? Graham, George Mackenzie )former General Manager of British Linen Bank), Willie Holmes; group of four in middle - Roddie Ross, Andrew Ross, Andrew Gallie, Tom Mackenzie; Two at RHS - ? Cameron, ? Urquhart.

Strawberry pickers

1899 (4 comments)

The St Duthus Cycle and Motor Works was situated in Sutherland Street and was owned by Dan Mackay (father of Dods Mackay, Portmahomack).

St Duthus Cycle and Motor Works

1910

This photo was taken possibly in the early 1930's outside G Urquhart, Butchers in the High Street. It shows L to R: Jean Christie, Dave Urquhart, Barbara Munro(Mrs Urquhart). In the window are cuts of meat and pies with two hanging lamb carcases. This family firm owned two butcher shops (the other one in Portmahomack), operated a van round serving the Edderton, Inver, Portmahomack and Rockfield areas and also owned the Burgage farm. George Urqhuart was Forbie Urquhart's grandfather, Dave Urquhart was his uncle and son of George. Forbie Urquhart ran a drapery, clothing and haberdashery business in Lamington Street.
Next door to the left was Robert Collie, Tailor, and next to that was Strachan, Baker. All three premises are now part of the Gow bakery chain's Tain shop.

George Urquhart Butchers

1930 (1 comments)

This picture shows Gordon Maitland who was the nephew of Andrew Maitland, and helped him in his Architectural business in Tain.
In the 1920's Gordon left Tain to become a sculptor in Paris, where he died in 1933.

Gordon Maitland

1905

The photograph shows an interior view of Aldie Mills in October 1963. The sacks are full of grain. The mill was the last water-powered meal mill to operate in the Tain area. It closed in the 1960's. After being restored to working condition, it was re-opened as a tourist attraction in 1996. More recently it has been developed as a private dwelling, although the water wheel is still in position.

Aldie Mills

1963

John Gallie & Co operated as grocers in Tain during the early part of the 20th century. There were two shops - one in Market Street and this one in Stafford Street. The business was later taken over by Donald Leitch. The photograph shows Mr Leitch on left, with members of Staff. The building to the left is the Carnegie Library.

John Gallie & Co, Grocer

1940 (9 comments)

The sign above the doorway of these premises at the corner of Geanies and Stafford Street says Saddlery Department. Note the horse collars on either side of the door, the beautiful horse carriages, the post box in the wall and the water hydrant in the middle of the pavement. This building still exists but is much changed in appearance with much larger window spaces. It was a tyre centre in recent times and is currently a household supplies shop.

John Fraser, Coachbuilders

1900 (2 comments)

In this interior view of Anderson's saw mill, Andrew Anderson is the gentleman, back left, with the beard.

Anderson's Saw Mill, South Bonar

1880 (16 comments)

The boy on the tricycle is Lachie Gallie who was a message boy for Alexander's bakery located in Gladstone Buildings, King Street. The following is written on the back

Message boy on baker's delivery tricycle

1933 (5 comments)

A sepia photo by William Smith, Photographer, Tain, of the interior of the workshop, in Upper King Street, of a skilled cabinet maker called Danny Thompson. Thompson did all the wood work when Morangie House was built for the Gallies in 1903 and presented them with a carved wooden chair, similar to the one in the picture, as handsel or moving in present. On the left of the picture is W Fraser (father of Donald) who later bought the business.

Danny Thompson's Workshop

1895 (2 comments)

This post card shows the general store, Edderton in the early 1900's (perhaps later). There is a message and an address on the back but no stamp or post mark nor any sign of it ever having been sent. The message is as follows -

Aird's shop, Edderton

1910 (1 comments)

The burning, smoking premises of Wallace and Fraser's (Ironmongers) High Street premises which were engulfed in flames in 1957 can be seen in the centre of the picture with AF Gardiner (Chemist) to the left and the Royal Hotel to the right. (See Picture #241)

Wallace and Fraser Fire

1957 (7 comments)