From factor’s house to The Factor’s House — a journey through 170 years

Fran Tilbrook

Cromarty History Society’s February talk is given by Fran Tilbrook who has lived in Cromarty since 1975 and for 39 years of that time in the house Rosenberg, the subject of her talk.

“Rosenberg was built around 1847 as the Cromarty Estate factor’s house. Through its long life the house has seen a cast of interesting owners and occupiers come and go. Their fascinating stories will be revealed, some of which reach right down to recent and presentday residents of Cromarty. We meet a ruthless estate factor, the courageous widow of a war hero army doctor and her family, learn of a daring sea rescue with a romantic follow-up, get to know a human ‘Google’ and his film animator son, then an Antarctic scientist, and finally an award-winning B&B owner whose change of house name has returned Rosenberg to its roots. Along the way there are photos documenting the changing face of this well-loved family home”, Fran Tilbrook.

An administrator for most of her working life, Fran’s last job was setting up and running the Health Promotion Department’s library of health-related resources for NHS Highland. She was Secretary of ‘Cromarty 2007’, the group behind the memorable ‘Sea Cromarty Sparkle’ events, and led the project Cromarty — Living by the Sea with its book and associated website. She writes occasional articles for Chatterbox and is part of the teams helping to keep the East Church clean and looking after the Hugh Miller Birthplace Garden (NTS).

Cromarty History Society meets in the West Church Hall, Cromarty at 7.30pm on the the third Thursday of each month, September - April