Chapter 3--1

1. John and Annie (McRae) McBeath

John McBeath, My
We have no picture of John McBeath or of his wife, Annie, great grand father
but we do have this word picture from his great grandson was born in 1831, at
Doug Hood: Cuaig Ross-shire,
Descendants Douglas and Louise Hood drove to Cuaig on 18 May Scotland located
1990. They tell us that “When we visited Cuaig … we were struck by about 10 mi1es North
the beauty of the area, although it was very desolate. It had a of Applecross (14
beautiful panorama some distance down to the sea, barren land miles, West of
without trees. The people who lived there in the mid 1800s must Shieldaig) on
have been very poor…Probably had dirt floors, sod roofs and no
water, electricity, etc. The village [is] mostly ruins of small cottages Northwest coast.
and animal shelters on a bluff overlooking sea… two or three
occupied structures and a tiny, fairly new, church. Otherwise only John operated the
two or three summer cottages were occupied.” Kessock Ferry from
“Mr. Gillanders of Arrina (a village about five miles away) said North Kessock
Cuaig once had a population of 60-70 people. They were (Black Isle) to South
crofters/fishermen [He] Pointed out vacant tiny building which was Kessock (Inverness)
occupied for many years by a McBeath family…gone now for many
years...stone walls and metal roof remain…only one permanent John was called
resident family left in village. Name is McRae. I thought perhaps the “Black Alec”. He
McRae family might be related to Annie. Unfortunately we were was a big man with
unable to get in touch with them, either when we were there or by black hair. In youth
mail.” he was watcher for
revenue agents at an
illicit whiskey still. At the time of his marriage to Annie he lived in Arrenacrinach [now called
Arrina.] In Inverness he became known as being effective in prayer, particularly called upon
to stop bleeding in childbirth.

John Died: 10 Feb 1902 (71), and was buried Kilmuir Burial Ground, Ross shire, Scotland
(Black Isle). Of “Senile Decay.”

In Inverness: the family lived at #7 Pumpgate Street, Inverness, Scotland (South Kessock).

[Editor’s Note: On Doug Hood’s first trip the Kessock Ferry was a motor ferry. When we, the
John Watkins family, visited Inverness in 1992 a bridge had replaced the ferry. We visited the
Inverness library and found descriptions and pictures of the old ferries. Typically they were
open boats about 30 feet long, propelled by fore-and-aft sails when the wind served and great
oars during calms. I’m sure it took a strong man to work them. They carried passengers,
cargo, and often cattle. [The cattle were pushed into the water and led over by the ferry.] The
water is open to Moray Firth in the east, and Beauly Firth in the west. The foul weather for
which Scotland is famous must have made John McBeath’s job very harsh and dangerous at
times. The ferries were manned by a small crew of one or two so we can rightly claim our
ancestor as a captain. I have heard his daughter, my grandmother “Gammie” Watkins boast
that men said they “would rather cross with McBeath even blind in the worst storm than any
other ferryman.”
 Chapter 3--2
These pictures, made in the late 1800s, will give you some idea of the life a ferryman. The
picture above was taken on a calm day. It gives no hint of what it must have been like to work
the ferries in the foul weather for which Scotland is famous.

Kessock Ferry Boats of the 1800s

One of these craft may be the very Ferry operated by John McBeath.
Could one of the figures on the ferries or on the quay be my great grandfather?
From files at the Inverness City Library

Photo from Inverness city library files.

 Chapter 3--3

When we examine the circumstances that led to the Watkins family emigrating to America you
will read a bit more about the family. There is a hint in a family letter that makes me think that
John and Ann may have been illiterate. See if you agree.
 Chapter 3--4

ANNIE (MCRAE ) MCBEATH

I could find no pictures of Annie. Doug Hood researched our Scotch heritage and found that
she was born in or near Cuaig in the rugged coastal region just east of the Isle of Skye. He also
learned that, like her husband John, she had powers of healing prayer. Here is a picture of the
cemetery near Inverness, and another of her home in Inverness as it now appears. My great
grandmother, Annie (McRae) McBeath was born 28 Nov 1825, at Cuaig, Ross-shire, Scotland
She and John married 27 Jan 1852 at Inverness, Scotland.
Anecdotes- She frequently ministered to medical needs of people of Inverness. Few doctors
were available in those days.
She died: 22 Oct 1905 (77), buried Kilmuir burial Ground. “Senile decay” and heart failure.
Their children: Flo (McBeath) Linklater, Jane
Anne (McBeath) Watkins 31 March 1864
-Died 29 Feb 1960 (95), and Alexander (Alec)
McBeath 16 Jan 1869 - 12 Jan 1946 (76).
Both daughters settled in Portland, Oregon
and raised their families there.

Their children Catherine and Jessie both

remained in Scotland, and Maggie moved to
Canada.

The bleak but beautiful region where John

McBeath and Annie McRae were born, met, and
wed.

Doug Hood Photo ca 1990

This house stands on the address where

John and Annie McBeath lived in the 1890s.
Doug Hood Photo, ca. 1990

Tombstone at Kilmuir burial ground.

Doug Hood Photo ca 1990

 Chapter 3--5

Inverness and the bridge that replaces the old ferries.

The Scotland where John and Anne (McRae) McBeath were

born.