The Invergordon Archive
Invergordon Gala WeekThis picture was taken in 1956 or 1957 during the Invergordon Gala Week. The building in the background is the old Naval Recreation Building.
Back row: Nesta Macdonald, Joan Ross, Mary Mackenzie, Jane Campbell, Carol Smith, Myra Chisolm, Shonah Maclellan, Jean Fraser.
Front row: Anne Ross, Stenia Lachmanski, Anne Ross, Kathleen Fraser, Catriona Sutherland, Mrs Rita Sutherland, Fiona Ferguson, Christine Mackinnon, Karen Mackenzie, Rosemary Ross.
Picture added on 24 February 2012 at 13:00
The building behind was the Naffi, basically a big wooden prefab which housed a number of bars and canteens for Officers NCOs and other ranks. It had an open veranda along the front in the style of a cricket pavilion but is probably a style of building which originated during the Raj in India. This was actually a very historical building because the first meeting to discuss a RN strike in 1931 was held in one of the bars here. Officers tried to break up the meeting and were physically turfed out by the ordinary seamen in attendance. Is it still there?
Added by Bill Geddes on 19 October 2014
The building is now totally gone Bill. There was a small part left in use for the football club changing rooms at the tank end of the building but that was demolished when the club built new changing rooms in the early '80s.
The old buildings at the Castle Road end are also gone along with the old cricket pavillion. The only buildings on the site now are the football club's new changing rooms and the rugby club facility at the Catsle Road end.
The old buildings at the Castle Road end are also gone along with the old cricket pavillion. The only buildings on the site now are the football club's new changing rooms and the rugby club facility at the Catsle Road end.
Added by Graham MacKenzie on 20 October 2014
The "Rec" always looked good with it's white painted fences, pitches and the pavilions....sad as to how much of the Town's history has been lost and demolished to be replaced by car parks and concrete.
Added by Liz Taylor nee Askew on 21 October 2014
The best football pitches in G.B. during the '50s. Naval cup finals were always played here. Groundy kept them immaculate.
Added by Dickie Borthwick on 27 January 2015
Yes, Groundie certainly did. Especially the number 1 pitch. Heaven help you if he caught you on it.
Added by Harry O'Neill on 28 January 2015
Yes the Rec was a great asset to the town. The Navy had no problem with the pitches being used by local people and were always immaculate. When the Fleet was in port the Rec was swarming with sailors playing football, rugby etc. I can remember watching US sailors playing baseball. Down the road a bit was the Tennis Courts which seemed to be exclusively for officers. Sailors who could not get into the town bars went up to the Rec to drink in the bars there. I think there was 3 bars in the Naffi building. One for the Officers, one for the NCOs and one for the ordinary Jacks. The town used to be awash with drunken sailors. It was always noticeable that when the NATO fleet was in port that foreign sailors (with the exception of the Yanks) seemed better behaved and took some interest in the town. It was not unusual to see Danish or Dutch sailors walking along Gordon Terrace to view the local scenery. British sailors preferred to view the bottom of a pint glass!
Added by Bill Geddes on 29 January 2015
So true Harry. That's why my Invergordon pals and I used to play on the rugby pitch, out of sight.
Added by Dickie Borthwick on 29 January 2015
Is thus where Ross Sutherland now play? Does anyone know how old the pitches are, ie do they pre date the club, formed 1920s.
Added by Aidan Taylor on 21 December 2017
You can see the clubhouse marked on Google Maps (Satellite) - IV18 0AZ Castle Rd, Invergordon - I think.
Anonymous comment added on 22 December 2017