The former Gatekeepers cottage at the level crossing Balnacra .Now demolished. It was a well know local landmark that had stood for around 120 years. Many people had lived there over the years & often I met people with some sort of connection to the 'Gates'

This was the gatehouse in the snow, boxing day 2000. Shortly before this the owners , Railtrack had given us an eviction order so they could demolish the building. This was a complete bolt out of the blue. My family had lived there for 8 happy years and had been told that we could buy the property.

It was a great site to run my pottery from, as the former gatekeeper had built 2 sturdy worksheds out of railway sleepers back in the 1970's.
Tragically Peter Roy, who loved this house as much as I did, was killed in an accident 8th of November 2001.
He planted most of the trees at the Gates , luckily the bulldozers have left nearly all of them unscathed.

The busy workshop where the Balnacra Pottery Business began.

The Gates had a lovely garden terraced into the hillside, that peter had worked hard to create. Pungent Roses & honey suckle scented the night air.

A last light glows from an empty living room as we prepared to leave the Gates for the last time.
A local landmark & piece of history destroyed by Railtrack.

The level crossing is set in the steep Glen carron. The A890 winds its way along side the beautiful Loch Dughaill.

There was always plenty of light in the house with windows on 3 sides of the main room.

A train passing buy the window, it made the house shake, very popular with the young & young at heart.

Demolition started 26th November with the gutting of the inside.

Railtracks reasons for demolition were at first that the cost of repairs to a modern standard were too expensive. They had not inspected or done any maintenance in at least 35 years. The cost of demolition was £13000.
They then said it was for safety reasons, the house has stood 120 years with no accidents. Whereas the nearby road has traffic accidents on it every summer. Within 6 months of its demolition a car hit a train here, luckily with no injuries.

Sun on the wood pile & lean-to in the back garden. The apple tree burns.

Click for press article about the demolition

5th December.

6th December;

The Pottery sheds are among the last to go. Some of the Railway sleepers were delivered to the new shop to be recycled. They are now steps to the bird hide at the Lochcarron Smithy Heritage Centre this recycling seems fitting.

After a long difficult year ,we are now re-homed in Lochcarron thanks to a local housing trust, and the pottery was moved to a lovely new custom built shop at the Heritage Centre near to Lochcarron, but sadly this was not a good location & five years on has closed .

One year on , nothing remains of 'The Gates'
click for a photographic diary of the new shop being built.