Full house as Cromarty History Society returns to business with fascinating talk in 300-year history of a local dwelling and its long association with one family
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There was a full house for Cromarty History Society’s first talk of the Covid-delayed 2021/22 season.
Over the years, a number of residents have shared their research on the history of their houses and also what they’ve uncovered about former residents. These are always popular sessions and often spur others to start their own studies.
The latest talk was given by Arthur Bird and had a slightly different emphasis, since 7 Braehead in Cromarty now encompasses four generations of his family over 100 years.
“One former owner did stand out though – George Gordon-Smith, a surgeon in Cromarty for 40 years. He lived in Reay House (the subject of a previous talk) and owned 14 properties in the town including, 7 Braehead. He had quite a reputation and may have been a bit of a cad, or a character depending on your point of view."
“He was able to present a wealth of information about the evolution of this property through its 300-year history, supported with much evidence, documentation and illustration,” said a spokesman. “Also, there were the personal details – Arthur’s recollections from his youth in the town and memories of some of the relatives who have lived there.
“James Reid Snr (1861-1943) was the first family member we were introduced to – Arthur’s great grandfather. This James Reid was a fisherman and fish merchant, renting a property in Fishertown and with a smokehouse on Shore Street. By reputation he was an austere Highland Scot, a Town Provost, an Elder of the Church of Scotland, Master of the Robertson’s Lodge and a member of the Temperance Society.”
It was this James Reid, who lent his son, another James Reid, £300 to buy the house at 7 Braehead, in Cromarty’s Pickletoun in 1919.
They continued: “From that point, April 1919, the house has remained within Arthur’s family. In 2000 Arthur took over the house himself from his aunts and commenced a renovation.
“This was the subject of an archaeological watching brief, which uncovered many clues about the building and site. It suggested the existing house was built on top of an early 18th-century house. The varying construction methods uncovered indicated that the current house was originally single storey.
“The house was also formerly a house and shop together. The well-known marriage stone above the door relates to Kenneth Kemp, a tailor, resident in the first property, as it is dated 1727.
“In terms of the history of the property, Arthur’s grandfather purchased a neighbouring ‘ruinous’ house and small area of land adjacent to add to his plot in 1944. This had been owned by a vintner who owned seven properties in the town, all said to be unfit and unsafe for human habitation. In the 1970s, this house was demolished. This area now forms part of the gardens of 7 Braehead. There are still signs of windows, doorways and fireplaces within the boundary walls.
“Arthur’s talk encompassed many aspects of Cromarty’s history, for example the Fishertown boats, their sizes, tonnage, owners and how many they employed. His near complete record of sales of the property, going back to 1717, show the occupations of the past owners being mainly normal working folk.
“One former owner did stand out though – George Gordon-Smith, a surgeon in Cromarty for 40 years. He lived in Reay House (the subject of a previous talk) and owned 14 properties in the town including, 7 Braehead. He had quite a reputation and may have been a bit of a cad, or a character depending on your point of view."
He was rebuked before the kirk sessions for fathering an illegitimate child and even recorded in Hansard for his connection with the abduction of an electoral voter. He went on to become a JP. He received recognition for his “community support and service during the cholera epidemic, making numerous trips to Nigg during this time”.
Mt Bird finished with old Cromarty photos, cine film from his parents’ archives and the tale of the house’s “ghostly spirit” and how she has become an accepted part of the family after a tricky start!
The next meeting will see David Alston talk about “Escape, Resistance and Uprising: enslaved Africans defy their Highland masters, Guyana 1880 – 1814”. It will run on Thursday, March 24 in the Old Brewery, Cromarty. Visit www.cromartyhistory.scot for details.
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