The community of Balintore were shocked by the sudden death of William Skinner at the age of 35 years. William, a stonemason to trade, was known all over the Northern Counties as an excellent tradesman and was in continuous employment. In 1907 he emigrated to the USA, to Buffalo, New York State, his travel record states, he was 5ft 7ins, blue eyes, brown hair, scar over left eye and had a wife Catherine at home. He returned home and was in the process of building a house for his wife and young family in Hilton of Cadboll at the time of his death. The funeral took place at Fearn Abbey.