104007: Free Presbyterian Manse, North Tolsta

The Free Presbyterian Manse in North Tolsta was built after the arrival of Rev Fraser Macdonald in 1952 who helped with its construction. Rev Fraser married Sarah Macleod of Greenock. The couple lived in Tolsta until June 1966, when they left for Portree.

After nearly a year without a minister the Manse passed to Rev Donald Nicolson in August 1967. Donald left Tolsta in March 1969 and took up the ministry in Raasay in December 1970. 

After a few years without a minister the Manse passed to Rev Duncan Maclean in August 1972. Duncan was married to Constance Maginnes and the couple had six children: four boys and two girls. Three of their sons had muscular dystrophy and their eldest, Kenneth, was already in a wheelchair when they arrived in Tolsta. The couple lost a baby girl in 1975. The family were sent to Borve, Harris in October 1979.

In February 1981, after just over a year without a minister, the Manse passed to Rev John Macdonald. John was married to Annie and the couple had three children. John had been born at 6 New Tolsta and after being ordained had been the minister at Staffin from 1969 to 1981. In 1991 he left Tolsta and settled in Stornoway.

The Manse then passed to a man from Skye; this family left for Edinburgh.