Heritage

Heritage

Find out about history, legends, places and local people from times past.

The Gaelic of my youth

The Gaelic of my youth

Uisdean Vass recounts how he started learning Gaelic. Growing up in Rosehall in the 1960s and 70s there was very little formal teaching, but Uisdean’s mum and dad –like many others whose parents had been fluent speakers– often used Gaelic idiom and words. By Uisdean Vass I was brought

Medieval Invershin

Medieval Invershin

There are almost no traces left of Invershin Castle, which once stood in a strategic spot on the banks of the Kyle of Sutherland. It was built by Hugh de Moravia in the 12th century. A branch of this family, the forebears of the Sutherlands, settled at Dunrobin.  By Silvia

History of the whisky distilleries in the area

History of the whisky distilleries in the area

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

Illustrious pipers

Illustrious pipers

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

Test day challenge

Test day challenge

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)

The great snow of 1978

The great snow of 1978

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

History of the Ardgay-Bonar Pipe Band

History of the Ardgay-Bonar Pipe Band

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