103877: 16 North Tolsta

16 Tolastadh bho Thuath

16 North Tolsta was a newly lotted croft in 1851. Roderick Maciver was the first tenant and he lost the croft in 1853 and became a cottar at 12 North Tolsta.

In 1853 John Mackay (1798-1877) 16 Old North Tolsta obtained 16 North Tolsta and passed the croft to his son, Angus Mackay (1842-1927). After an infectious disease killed several of his children Angus burnt down the original croft house and built a house on opposite side of the road. In due course 16 North Tolsta passed to his son, Donald Mackay (1888-1966)

In 1929 the house was hit by lightning and the chimney was damaged. The cottars house nearby was also damaged during the same storm. The house was extended in the 1950s when a new kitchen, bathroom, scullery, staircase and bedroom were added. In due course 16 North Tolsta passed to their daughter Katie Ann Mackay.

Katie Ann never married and after her death 16 North Tolsta was split, the croft went to her nephew, son of Gormelia Mackay. The croft house was feued off and shared by her three sisters, Gormelia, Margaret and Ann.

For many years the house was used as a holiday home for visiting family, but it was sold in 1992 and re-named Storm Cottage. A new croft house was built  around 2011.

Cottars:

John's daughter Marion (born 1842) became a cottar on the croft.

Angus's son, Angus (born 1890) became a cottar at 16 North Tolsta.