The Invergordon Archive
The British Legion CommitteeThe date is a guess.
Picture added on 13 February 2005
Judging by the clothing and bikes I would think this is a pre war photo. The clothing also suggests that there may not be a British Legion connection. Plus fours were not normal dress for ex soldiers..unless of course they were officers!Could this actually be outside the old YMCA? I wonder if the woman turned up on the bike!!!
Added by Bill Geddes on 16 January 2008
I think you are correct Billy. Think it's the old YMCA. Legion was up on the High St.
There was another name for plus-fours that can't be repeated on here...
There was another name for plus-fours that can't be repeated on here...
Added by Harry O'Neill on 17 January 2008
Yes Harry, the second name for these daft trousers was always used in our house.
Can you imagine some of these characters propping up the Legion bar with a pint of heavy in their hand? Unlikely....
Can you imagine some of these characters propping up the Legion bar with a pint of heavy in their hand? Unlikely....
Added by Bill Geddes on 18 January 2008
Definitely the YMCA, the door to the dance hall.
Added by Liz Askew on 13 May 2008
Can anyone confirm that the YMCA was laterly known as The Grange? I remember a large building at the end of Clyde Street that burnt down in the late 70s/early 80s. It was a lovely old building with a large wooden porch area at the front that used to remind me of something out of the old American wild west films!!
Added by Jillian B on 14 May 2008
Jillian B, you are correct. The YMCA became The Grange, it provided food and accommodation for people working in the area.
Added by Ronald Stewart on 15 May 2008
Jillian ..yes the YMCA was renamed the Grange by a family from the "Grange" area around Keith I believe. The family concerned were MacGreggor to name and one of the sons Rob took over Joe Angelo's garage in Ross Street around 1963/65 and called it Rob Roy Motors.
Added by Duncan Murray on 15 May 2008
Hi Jillian, you are right, the YMCA became The Grange in later years. I remember all the terrific dances which were held in the YMCA hall, particularly when the Fleet was in and the Marine band played. Happy Days!!!!
Added by Rosalie Samaroo (Graham) on 16 May 2008
I remember the Grange being used as a one day/weekend type salesroom by some firm from down south, probably early '70s.
Added by Kmmc55 on 16 May 2008
Thank you all for your replies. I wondered if it was the same building. We used to live along the road from it on the corner of King Street/Outram Street. I remember thinking what a shame it was destroyed and never rebuilt - it's a car park now (like quite a bit of old InverG!)- very sad!!
Added by Jillian B on 19 May 2008
Gent 2nd from right, looks like a young Lofty Macfarlane. I am surprised you didnt notice this Billy Geddes
Added by Harry O'Neill on 24 May 2021
I agree that this is pre war and is a photo of the Invergordon branch of the British legion which was formed in 1934 and by 1938 occupied their own premises on the High Street which were officially opened by Brig.-General JB Pollok-McCall of Kindeace. He played the first ball on one of the two new billiards tables. The Invergordon Branch had at that time a membership of over 200. The officials were:
President : Brig.-General Pollok- McCall
Chairman : Mr M Ross
Secretary: Mr Tom MacKenzie
Treasurer: Mr A.G. Lindsay
Caretaker : Mr Duncan Ross
My Grandfather, Mr Tom MacKenzie. is 7th from the left. I have no names for the others but from another photo some are members of that committee.
President : Brig.-General Pollok- McCall
Chairman : Mr M Ross
Secretary: Mr Tom MacKenzie
Treasurer: Mr A.G. Lindsay
Caretaker : Mr Duncan Ross
My Grandfather, Mr Tom MacKenzie. is 7th from the left. I have no names for the others but from another photo some are members of that committee.
Added by Karen Graham on 24 May 2021
Could the gentleman on the left be Donald Mackenzie? (Donald the butcher)
Added by Ron Stewart on 05 June 2021
I had been speculating on the gentleman on the left Ron but I thought it might be David Borley. I think both Donald and David were roughly contemporaries and would have been in their mid to late 20’s at the time and that might be at odds with the date of the picture as he looks older than that to me. I can however see the likeness to them both. The gentleman concerned looks over that age to me but it is difficult with different clothing styles to estimate age so maybe one of us is right !
Added by Graham MacKenzie on 05 June 2021
Hi Graham I have had a look at this photograph as we had discussed when we met on Port Golf Course a couple of weeks ago.
I can see where both you and Ron are getting your thoughts and although not definite I tend to agree with you Graham
I can see where both you and Ron are getting your thoughts and although not definite I tend to agree with you Graham
Added by John Mitchell on 06 June 2021