103925: 50 North Tolsta

50 Tolastadh bho Thuath

50 North Tolsta was a new croft in 1857. The first occupants were Roderick Mackay, Christina Macdonald and their five children: Donald, John, Annie, Margaret and Murdo. In 1860 the couple had their final child: Isabella. In 1879 Annie had a daughter, Mary who lived with the family and in 1882 their daughter, Margaret had a son, Angus.

Annie and Murdo both settled as cottars at 50 North Tolsta for a time. In due course 50 North Tolsta passed to their daughter, Margaret.

Margaret Mackay raised her son, Murdo Murray at 50 North Tolsta. In due course 50 North Tolsta passed to her son.

Murdo Murray married Effie Smith and they had two children: Christina and Murdo. Murdo was widowed in 1910 and later married Gormelia Murray. The couple had four children: three girls and a boy.

John Mackenzie married Annie Mackay and they were initially cottars at 50 North Tolsta but eventually moved to Stornoway. The couple had four children. 

The next occupant of the cottars house was Annie's daughter, Mary Mackay and her husband William Macleod. The couple had three children: John, Roderick and Christina. The family emigrated to Canada, but in 1914, after William had inherited 34 North Tolsta, they returned and settled there.     

Murdo Mackay  was a cottar at 50 North Tolsta after he had returned from Canada where he had married Marya Iserhoff. The couple had three children: Angus, Roderick and Christina Ann. After Marya's death Murdo married again and returned to Canada. He later settled in Stornoway before moving to Glasgow.