|
|
 Tain
& District Museum
The Tain and District Museum lies in Tain, Highland, and was opened in 1966. It now forms
part of the 'Tain Through Time' complex, located around the Collegiate Church of St.
Duthus.
The museum houses a mixed collection of artefacts that pertain to the history of Tain. The
museum is also home to a photographic collection, a collection of Tain silver and archive
material relating to the Ross family.
Portencross Castle (Portincross Castle)
Portencross Castle lies on the seaward side of the settlement of Portencross (North
Ayrshire), 2 miles (3 km) northwest of West Kilbride. The 14th century tower occupies the
site of an old Roman fort, situated on a rocky promontory which extends out into the Firth
of Clyde. It comprises an oblong structure of three storeys, built in red sandstone, with
an attached four-storey wing to the east.
Originally belonging to the Ross family, they supported the Comyns against Robert I during
the Wars of Independence and the victorious King gave the castle to the Boyds of
Kilmarnock. Robert II most likely stopped here en route from Rothesay Castle to his
coronation at Scone in 1371 and Robert III also stayed here evidenced by charters signed
while resident. It remained the property of the Boyd family until 1785 when it passed to
the Fullertons. It was used in the 18th century to house French prisoners of war, but lost
its roof in a storm in 1739. Although now uninhabited and ruined, it still stands to its
full height.
Portencross is currently owned by British Energy Plc, who operate Hunterston 'B' Nuclear
Power Station which lies 1½ miles (2½ km) to the north, although the intention is to
transfer ownership of the castle to the community. Plans are in place to restore this
A-listed scheduled monument, at a cost of at least £800,000, and open it to the public.
The castle was featured in the BBC television series Restoration (2004).
Balnagown River
A river of Easter Ross, Highland Council Area, Balnagown River is formed by the meeting of
the Allt Dearg and the Strathrory River 6 miles (10 km) northeast of Invergordon. It flows
eastwards past Balnagown Castle, former seat of the Clan Ross, before entering Nigg Bay to
the southeast of Milton.
Cromarty Firth
Invergordon and the Cromarty Firth from the Black Isle
©1995-2005 Gazetteer for Scotland
An inlet of the Moray Firth in Highland Council Area, the Cromarty Firth separates the
mainland of Easter Ross from the Black Isle. It extends 18 miles (30 km) west and
southwest to Dingwall from its mouth between the headlands known as the Sutors of
Cromarty. Invergordon was an important naval harbour during two World Wars and sheltered
deep-water facilities here have been used in the construction and repair of North Sea oil
rigs.
Easter Ross
Sunset over Easter Ross
©1995-2005 Gazetteer for Scotland
An area of the E Highlands lying between the Cromarty and Dornoch Firths, Easter Ross
forms the eastern part of the old county of Ross-shire. The topography varies from the
mountains surrounding Glen Glass and Strath Rusdale in the west to low-lying agricultural
land in the east. The major settlements of Easter Ross are Tain, Invergordon, Alness and
Dingwall.
Nigg Bay
Oil Industry Fabrication Yard, Nigg Bay
©1995-2005 Gazetteer for Scotland
A wide bay of the Ross and Cromarty district of Highland Council Area, Nigg Bay lies on
the northeastern coastline of the Cromarty Firth, 5 miles (8 km) to the east of
Invergordon. At low tides, the Sands of Nigg are exposed.
Invergordon (Inverbreakie)
Highland
Invergordon and the Cromarty Firth from the Black Isle
©1995-2005 Gazetteer for Scotland
The modern burgh of Invergordon is a creation of Sir William Gordon of Embo, who purchased
the castle and estate in the 18th Century. He drew up plans for the construction of the
town, building the harbour in 1828, and changing the town name from Inverbreakie to
Invergordon.
In the 20th century, the area surrounding Invergordon became prosperous with the influx of
employment linked to the dockyard. Situated on the Cromarty Firth, Invergordon offered one
of the largest and safest anchorages in Britain, ideal in both wars for the Navy and
marine crafts of the R.A.F. It was here that the entire complement of the Atlantic Fleet
went on strike when the government tried to reduce its costs during the economic downturn
of 1931 by cutting ratings pay. Crisis was averted by direct intervention of King George
V. Although the naval base has been closed since 1956, the proximity of Invergordon to the
North Sea oilfields has encouraged oilrig construction and maintenance facilities to
develop in the area.
The importance of the town to the economy of this part of the Highlands is reflected by it
being the location of the headquarters of Ross and Cromarty Enterprise.
Tain
Highland
Tain
©1995-2005 Gazetteer for Scotland
Tain sits on the shores of the Dornoch Firth, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Invergordon on
the Scottish eastern coast. Scotland's oldest royal burgh, it was granted its charter
status in 1066 and burgh status in 1457.
The birth place of St. Duthac, and his final resting place, Tain became a shrine and place
of pilgrimage and it was in this shrine that the wife, sisters and daughter of King Robert
Bruce were captured by the English.
The main feature of the town is the massive Tain tollbooth, built in 1730, and which now
acts as the entrance to the Court House and Court Buildings. Other places of interest
include the Collegiate Church, built in 1371, the Royal Academy of Tain (1812) which is
now a resource centre and residential home and Castle Brae which is now a local museum.
Today, Tain is the centre of a prosperous agricultural district and is the main tourist
centre for the local area.
Between Tain and Meikle Ferry, visitors will find Glenmorangie Distillery, home of the
famous single malt whisky.
Dingwall
Highland
View over Dingwall towards the Cromarty Firth
©1995-2005 Gazetteer for Scotland
A burgh town in Easter Ross, Highland Council Area, Dingwall lies at the head of the
Cromarty Firth, 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Inverness. Its name is derived from the
Scandinavian for 'parliament in the valley'. An important market centre, Dingwall gained
royal burgh status in 1226 and was the seat of the Sheriffdom of Ross from 1265. The
former county town of Ross and Comarty, it was from 1975 to 1996 the administrative centre
of the Ross and Cromarty district of Highland Region. The medieval Tulloch Castle, a
stronghold of the Clan Ross, was replaced by a mansion and the town's harbour eventually
silted up. Linen spinning arrived in the 18th century and 100 years later Dingwall
prospered as a road and railway junction with livestock markets. North Sea oil related
development in the 1970s boosted the population which expanded by 5,000 within a decade.
Dingwall has a museum and hosts a Highland Traditional Music Festival in the summer in
addition to a Highland Games. Buildings of note include an 18th-century Town House and St
Clement's Church (1801). Foulis Castle, seat of the Chiefs of the Clan Munro lies to the
northeast.
|
