Historic places to go - Highlands & Western Isles

Blackhouse, Arnol In Arnol village, Isle of Lewis, 11m NW of Stornoway on the A858. Tel: 01851 710395 A traditional Lewis thatched house, fully furnished, complete with attached barn, byre and stockyard. A peat fire burns in the open hearth. Closed every Sunday.
Calanais Standing Stones & Visitor Centre About 12 miles west of Stornaway off the A859, Lewis, 8 NB 213 330 Tel: 01851 621422 A cross-shaped setting of standing stones, unique in Scotland and outstanding in Great Britain. Dates to around 3000 BC. The visitor centre is managed by the Urras nan Tursachan. Site open all year seven days a week.. Visitor Centre closed Sunday. Open in summer from 10.00am to 7.00pm and from 10.00am to 4.00pm in winter.
Culloden On B9006, 5m east of Inverness No name in Scottish history evokes more emotion than that of Culloden, the bleak moor which in 1746 saw the hopes of the young Prince Charles Edward Stuart crushed, and the end of the Jacobite Rising, the 'Forty-Five'. The prince's forces, greatly outnumbered by those of the brutal Duke of Cumberland, nevertheless went into battle with a courage which has passed into legend.
Dun Carloway One and a half miles south of Carloway, about 16 miles north west of Stornaway, Lewis, 8 NB 189 412 One of the best preserved broch towers in Scotland.
St Clement's Church At Rodel, Harris A fine 16th century church, built by the Alexander MacLeod of Dunvegan and Harris, and containing his richly-carved tomb.
Steinacleit Cairn and Stone Circle On the south end of Loch an Duin, Shader, Lewis, north west of Stornaway, 8 NB 396 540 The remains of an enigmatic building of early prehistoric date.
Ardclach Bell Tower Eight and a half miles south east of Nairn. 27 NH 953 453. A remarkable little fortified bell tower built in 1655 on the hill above the parish church of Ardclach.
Beauly Priory In Beauly The ruined church of a Valliscaulian priory, one of three founded in 1230. Much of the building was later reconstructed.
Bridge of Oich Four miles south of Fort Augustus on the A82. 34 NH 338 035. This splendid suspension bridge was designed by James Dredge in 1854. It was built using a sophisticated patented design of double cantilevered chain construction with massive granite pylon arches at either end.
Cairn o'Get Five miles north east of Lybster, 12 ND 313 411 A horned and chambered burial cairn.
Carn Liath By the A9, three miles east north east of Golspie 17 NC 870 013 A typical Sutherland brooch, surviving to first-floor level, with associated settlement.
Castle of Old Wick One mile south of Wick, 12 ND 368 487 The ruin of a very early Norse tower house on a spectacular site on a spine of rock projecting into the sea, between two deep, narrow gulleys. Visitors must take great care.
Cawdor Castle Situated 5 miles southwest of Nairn and 10 miles east of Inverness. Cawdor Castle dates from at least 1454, this was the date when Willaim Thane of Cawdor was granted permission to build the first castle. Some architects think that the style of architecture predates 1454, and that the castle may have been built in the mid to late 14th century. The castle we see today is very large and the oldest part is the tower. The castle has been extended many times during its lifetime, dates stones 1702, and 1884 are clearly visible above windows. Inside the castle can be seen beautiful furniture, fine art including portraits and landscapes, antiques and tapestries. Cawdor Castle is well known for its wonderful gardens, these include a 17th century walled garden laid out in 1620, an 18th century flower garden laid out c1710, and a wild garden of the 1960’s. The castle grounds also include an ancient oakwood with a variety of trees known as the ‘Big Wood’, and it is also said to have over 100 species of lichen. The castle also has associations with Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’. See http://www.cawdorcastle.com/macbeth.cfm. Cawdor Castle has retained its 5-Star Visit Scotland status for the 2012 season. (Text Stan Bruce, photos by Andrew Bruce, Sept 2012).
Clava Cairns Six miles east of Inverness, 27 NH 752 439 Two chambered cairns and a ring cairn in a row, each surrounded by a circle of stones. Of late Neolithic or early Bronze Age date. An extensive and well-preserved site in a beautiful setting.
Cnoc Freiceadain Long Cairns Six miles west south west of Thurso, 11 ND 013 654 Two unexcavated long-horned burial cairns of Neolithic date, set at right angles to each other.
Corrimony Chambered Cairn In Glen Urquhart, eight and a half miles west of Drumnadrochit, 26 NH 383 303 A chambered burial cairn surrounded by a kerb of stone slabs, outside which is a circle of 11 standing stones.
Dun Beag One mile west of Bracadale, Skye, 32 NG 339 385 A fine example of a Hebridean broch, apparently occupied to the 18th century.
Dun Dornaigil 10 miles south of Hope, Sutherland, 9 NC 457 450 A well-preserved broch, standing to a height of 22 feet above the entrance passage.
Fort George 11 miles north east of Inverness off the A96, by the village of Ardersier. Tel: 01667 462777 Click here to view a video on YouTube Built following the Battle of Culloden as a Highland fortress for the army of George II, it is one of the outstanding artillery fortifications in Europe and still an active army barracks covering 42 acres. Highlights include reconstructed barrack rooms of the 18th and 19th centuries and the Seafield Collection of arms. The 1780 room shows Private James Anderson, a soldier who served with the 42nd Royal Highlanders. In those days men slept two to a bed and every man in a hundred could have his wife stay in the barracks with him. Fort George is still an active army barracks which houses the Regimental Museum of the Queen's Own Highlanders, also open to the public, check for specific opening times. Following the Jacobite rising of 1745-6 which threatened the Hanoverian rule of the Scottish Highlands, King George II put up the ultimate defence against any further unrest. Built on a barren spit of land jutting into the Moray Firth at Ardersier, north-east of Inverness, Fort George is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not in Europe. Its elaborate 18th-century bastioned defences and original garrison buildings survive intact. Almost a mile around, Fort George encloses an area of 42 acres (Edinburgh Castle would fit into its parade ground). Despite taking 21 years to complete and costing nearly £1 billion at today's prices, Fort George never saw a shot fired in anger. With its reconstruction of barrack-room and guard-room life, together with a fascinating collection of weapons including the Seafield Collection of arms, Fort George is a must-see on any trip to the Highlands and now the new restaurant offers the visitor an excellent opportunity to take a welcome break. Last ticket sold 45 minutes before closing.


Fortrose Cathedral In Fortrose The surviving fragments consist of the 13th century vaulted undercroft of the chapter house and the south aisle of the nave, a vaulted structure of 14th century date, bothy finely worked, with two canopied monuments, and other interesting memorials. Top Photo by Duncan Fenton Bottom two photos by Stan Bruce
Glenelg Brochs About eight miles south east of Kyle of Lochalsh, 33 NG 829 172 Two broch towers, standing over 30 feet high, with well-preserved structural features. Set in beautiful surroundings. Glenelg Brochs – Dun Telve and Dun Troddan. Two Iron Age Broch Towers, built about 2,000 year ago. Dun Telve (Grid reference NG82921726) stands over 30 feet high and Dun Troddan (Grid reference NG83401724) about 23 feet high. These both have well-preserved structural features and you can clearly see the double wall construction. Both of these Brochs are said to have been robbed for stone in 1722 during the construction of Bernera Barracks in Glenelg. These Brochs are set in beautiful surroundings, and are in the care of Historic Scotland. Open all year with free admission. Bernera Barracks, Glenelg. The barracks were constructed between 1717 and 1723 partly using stone from the Glenelg Brochs Dun Telve and Dun Troddan. It was built by the British Government to subdue the local population after the 1715 Jacobite Rising. This was a strategic site as it’s near the ferry boat to Skye which still operates today. The English troops withdrew from the barracks in 1797 and today stands roofless in ruins although category A listed by Historic Scotland. Pictures by Stan Bruce
Grey Cairns of Camster Five miles north of Lybster, 11 ND 260 441 Two chambered burial cairns of Neolithic date. One is long, with two chambers and projecting 'horns' and the other is round, and contains a single chamber.
Hill o'Many Stanes At Mid Clyth, four miles north east of Lybster, 11 ND 295 384 More than 22 rows of low slabs arranged in a slightly fan-shaped pattern, which may have been a prehistoric astronomical observatory.
Hilton of Cadboll Chapel At Hilton of Cadboll, 12 miles north east of Invergordon, 21 NH 873 768 The foundation remains of a small rectangular chapel building.
Inverness Catherdal Photo by Stan Bruce
Inverness Castle Inverness Castle sits high on a hill overlooking the River Ness, in the centre of Inverness, and is a prominent feature of the town. The castle we see today was built of red sandstone in 1836 by architect William Burn of Edinburgh. The earliest castle recorded on this site dates from 1057. This castle was destroyed by King Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence. A replacement castle was later built, but it was sacked in the 15^th century. Another castle was built but it was destroyed by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745, he is said to have flattened it using explosives. Today, the castle of 1836 is home to the Sheriff Court, and currently not open to the public, however visitors are free to roam the grounds Photo by Stan Bruce
Inverness Steeple Photo by Stan Bruce
Inverness Town Hall Photos by Stan Bruce
Inverlochy Castle Two miles north east of Fort William, 41 NN 121 755 A fine well-preserved 13th century castle of the Comyn family; in the formn of a square, with round towers at the corners. The largest tower was the donjon or keep. It is one of Scotland's earliest stone castles. Access is limited as major consolidation work is in progress. Photo by Duncan Fenton
Knocknagael Boar Stone In Highland Regional Council Offices, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness. A rough slab incised with the Pictish symbols of a mirror-case and a wild boar.
Ruthven Barracks Near Kingussie, 35 NN 764 997 An infantry barracks erected in 1719 following the Jacobite rising of 1715, with two ranges of quarters and a stable block. Captured and burnt by Prince Charles Edward Stuart's army in 1746.
St Mary's Chapel Crosskirk Six miles west of Thurso, 12 ND 025 701 A simple dry-stone chapel, probably of 12th century date.
Urquhart Castle On Loch Ness nr Drumnadrochit on the A82, 35 NH 531 286 Tel: 01456 450551 The remains of one of the largest castles in Scotland dominate a rocky promontory on Loch Ness. Splendid views up and down the Loch, a popular viewpoint for monster spotting. Summer, Monday to Sunday 9.30 am to 6.30 pm Winter, Monday to Saturday 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Sunday 11.30 am to 4.30pm. Last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing.
Invergarry Castle 7 miles south-west of Fort Augustus, east of A82 NH 315006 17th C tower house. Burnt by both Cromwell & Duke of Cumberland. View exterior only. Photo by Duncan Fenton
St. Duthus's Chapel Tain When Robert The Bruce's wife and daughter sought refuge here from the English army, the rules of sanctuary were ignored by the Earl of Ross, who seized them and handed them over to Edward I.
Duncraig Castle Situated on the southern shore of Loch Carron about 1 mile east of the village of Plockton. It was built in 1866 for Alexander Matheson, a Scottish businessman and Member of Parliament and is currently run as a hotel. Plockton Pics attached including Duncraig Castle across the bay. Coral Beach Follow the single track road north of Dunvegan Castle for 3 miles and you come to a car park. 1 mile walk along the shore takes you to this beautiful coral beach. Dunvegan Castle Eilan Donan Castle Thatched Cottage, Pockton Pictures from Stan Bruce