Find out about history, legends, places and local people from times past.
Heritage
On the shores of the Dornoch Firth lies Balblair Distillery, one of the oldest in Scotland. Across the Firth in Creich, Baddaroch Distillery was founded in 1823 operating for only a decade. They had to face competition from an astonishing number of illegal distilleries, particularly in Strathoykel and Strathcarron, always
Heritage
Here are some notable pipers related to the Inveran Hotel owned by Angus Macpherson, which became the heart of the piping world in the north Malcolm Macpherson, Calum Pìobaire Calum MacPherson (1828-1898), father of Angus Macpherson, was one of the most famous pipers of the 19th century. He was born
Heritage
28th October 2005. I really do wonder why I do this. There’s not much in it for me apart from having a good tale to tell over a dram or three. By Dave Goulder I refer to organising certification test days. We have no Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA)
Heritage
Uisdean Vass recounts his personal experience of one of the deadliest snow storms across the North of Scotland, with four lives lost as a direct result of the snow blizzard and thousands of people without electricity, telephone and supplies for more than five days. By Uisdean Vass I suppose I
Heritage
The band was formed in the Drill Hall, Bonar Bridge, on the 24th July 1929 and it was active for over 81 years, participating in competitions, travelling overseas and even recording an LP. Ruby MacDonald gives us an extraordinary insight into its history. By Ruby MacDonald The band that eventually
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A few place names, records and stone remains are the only traces of Celtic saints and early monks left in the area. Saint Maelruba Maelruba of Applecross (642-722) was an Irish saint active in Scotland who founded the monastic community of Applecross. He also founded a church on an island
Heritage
Owner of extensive lands in Strathcarron, Strath Oykel and Gairloch through his marriage to Mary of Grahame, he was a notorious robber or freebooter and centuries old tradition links him to the construction of the vitrified fort on the top of Dun Creich. Paul Mactire or Mactyre was a 14th
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71 years after his death, Dr Macrae (1872-1951) is a name well-known by many in the Highland communities of Creich and Kincardine. To give him his full name, Dr James Donald Macrae M.B. C.M. M.D. was – besides being a Doctor of Medicine – a dedicated spokesperson and advocate
Heritage
Along a burn by Loch Migdale, there was once a mill named Moulin na Vaugha /Fouadh, ‘Mill of the Fuath’, haunted by the Fuath and her son, the amormphous Brollachan. The Fuath (from Scottish Gaelic, meaning ‘hate’, and pronounced ‘vough’ in English) was a class of malevolent spirits in Scottish
Heritage
Once described as one of the best known hotels of the Highlands “where royalty and statemen have frequently stayed”, the Balnagown Arms Hotel started off as a farm house converted into an inn in 1817 to serve people travelling along the new Telford road. By Silvia Muras & Donald Brown
Heritage
One of the pleasures of spending holidays with my aunt and uncle at Altas shop and Post Office in the 1950s, was playing with local children, including some of the “Boarded Out” children, often referred to as the “Glasgow orphans”. By Lily Byron Apparently, at one point there were at
Heritage
Neil Anderson shares his memories of the places and the people he met in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s Ardgay. His family had links both to South Bonar and the Balnagown Arms Hotel. My name is William Neil Anderson and I am the last Anderson who had any connection with