Cromarty Archive

Mrs Cross's Shop - c1910

Mrs Cross's Shop - c1910

Date Added: 23 March 2011 Contributor: Andrew Cross Year: 1910 Picture No: 2920

This photograph of my great grandmother's shop was in my aunt's effects. I know that the shop was in Cromarty and, from a photograph on the National Trust for Scotland website, I think that the shop was in Paye House. I don't know the exact date of the photograph but my great grandmother, the 'Mrs Cross' on the sign, had the shop during the early years of the last century. In the photograph she is standing in the shop doorway. I'm not sure who the other person is.
It's very unlikely that anyone could remember the shop now, but I'd be very interested to know if it is Paye House and to hear anything at all about it. See picture #2923 for a 2011 view.

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11 Comments

That is indeed Paye House Andrew, and a wonderful picture we haven't seen before. The sign says:

Grocer . Provision Merchant
Mrs Cross

with Tobacco above the door, and what looks like a display of postcards in the window.

I'll try to take a current photo for comparision shortly.
Comment left on 23 March 2011 at 09:04 by Garve Scott-Lodge
Mrs Cross also had a shop in what is now Roddy Macbeth's house at the top of Bank Street in the 1950s - we used to go in there for sweets etc. Comment left on 23 March 2011 at 14:31 by Davie Jones
My grandmother, Bella MacKenzie knew Mrs Cross. My Mother remembers the shop and Mrs Cross collected the papers from the ferry every day. My Mother remembers her swept up hair style. Comment left on 28 March 2011 at 04:56 by Fiona Macleod
I knew a Mrs Cross. My Mam used to visit her. She was a very old lady in the 1950s. Assuming it's the same person. Comment left on 28 March 2011 at 15:38 by Margaret Tong
This shop was run by Bobby Hogg's father, James Hogg in the 1930s, and then later Dr Forth used it as her surgery. Comment left on 29 March 2011 at 15:16 by Eric Malcolm
In the 1950s it was a chip shop run by the Geddes family. Comment left on 30 March 2011 at 15:47 by Davey Jones
Yes Davy Jones, and very fine chips they were, but if you remember Mrs Geddes didn't like you hanging around too long after you got your 3d worth. The other thing you will remember is that no one worried too much about the salt in those days. By the way getting a bit closer to knowing who you are. Giving away too many clues now Davy. Comment left on 31 March 2011 at 23:46 by Alex Grant
Does anyone remember sledging down the Paye on the frosty nights and trying to make the bottom of the Big Vennel? I remember Campbell pouring water from somewhere at the top - tried everything but go-faster stripes!! Comment left on 04 April 2011 at 20:08 by DSM
picture #2923 is indeed the same house and looking through the comments it is good to get some background into one of the oldest houses of many in my birth town. Comment left on 04 March 2012 at 17:26 by Mark Bown
I'm wondering if this is the same Mrs Cross mentioned here that also lived at 17 high street ..the building on the corner of Bank and High street..where my Mam and Dad had a shop.. I remember them mentioned her name after we moved in. Does anyone know for sure ? Comment left on 09 April 2012 at 01:46 by John Macdonald
Further to my last message, the Freddy Geddes I referred to is in picture #536, Cromarty H.G. Group taken 1948. Fred is 2nd in middle row, from Donald Macleod, the then English Teacher. Comment left on 10 April 2012 at 22:05 by Clem Watson
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