103918: 43 North Tolsta

43 Tolastadh bho Thuath

43 North Tolsta was a newly lotted croft in 1851 and John Martin and Margaret Macdonald were the first occupants. The couple had previously been living at 3 Old South Tolsta, and prior to that in Old South Tolsta Tack. While at these previous addresses five of their six children had died: four in late childhood and their eldest son, Donald in his 50s. In1853 the couple passed 43 North Tolsta to their son-in-law, John Gunn.

John Gunn was married to Anne Martin and in 1853 the couple had six surviving children: Anne, Donald, John, Margaret, William and Christina. Their youngest son, Donald, had died in infancy over a decade earlier. The family had previously been living at 10 Old North Tolsta. In due course their son John, became a cottar at 43 North Tolsta after previously settling as a cottar at 41 North Tolsta. 43 North Tolsta passed to their son-in-law, Murdo Maciver.

Murdo Maciver married Christina Gunn and the couple had six children: Annie, Alex, William, John, Evander and Isabella. The couple's eldest daughter, Annie became at cottar on part of 43 North Tolsta that was known as 43a North Tolsta. In due course 43 North Tolsta passed to their son, Evander.

Evander Maciver married Margaret Macdonald and the couple had nine children: Christina, Allan, Murdo, Allan, Annabella, Christina, Margaret and Annie. It is not clear who 43 North Tolsta was passed to after the couple died in the early 1960's. The couple's married daughter lived in the croft house for a while but the croft was sub-let by them, through the crofters Commission, initially to Murdo Maciver of 43a North Tolsta and subsequently to his youngest son.

In 1984, the long term sub-tenant became the crofter at 43 North Tolsta. At this time the croft house was demolished. 

John Gunn married Mary Maciver of 41 North Tolsta and they initially settled as cottars at 41 North Tolsta. Later they moved to the cottars house at 43 North Tolsta. They had seven children.