Biography

Peter Dalgetty was born at Bogroy Farm in Lower Muckernich, Tore (Black Isle) in 1903. He was from a farming background, his father being a horse dealer, and Peter himself farmed sheep and cattle for most of his life. In his youth, he worked various contracts around the Black Isle, where he helped to build the coastal road around the north side of the Beauly Firth.

In 1933, Peter married Jessie McCulloch of Strome Carronach, a tablemaid to the Fraser-MacKenzie family of Bunchrew House. They worked a croft at Drummondreach, Strathconon, until World War Two, when they were persuaded to move to Coilach Farm, Muir of Ord, following the development of the Hydro Dams. They were promised free electricity for life upon their move to Coilach, which never materialised.

In later life, Peter was the chief elder in Urray Free Church, and in the words of his granddaughter, a 'well-respected, religious, kind and gentle man'. He was a regular attender of the livestock sale in Dingwall and the Black Isle Show, and was a well-known face in the area.

After he died at Lentran in 1985, the church published an obituary in which he was quoted as saying his only regret in life was that he 'didn't keep up with his Gaelic'.

Peter was recorded in 1971 by a student from the School of Scottish Studies. He is recorded speaking Gaelic, singing, and sharing information about the local area.