Contullich Castle

Contullich Castle was a castle located a few miles north-west of the town of Alness, on the eastern side of the county of Ross-shire, Scotland.

The castle is believed to date back until at least the 14th century. In 1379 Euphemia I, Countess of Ross confirmed the lands of Contullich and the fort which was then called the Tower of Ardoch to her cousin Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis. The Munros lands in eastern Ross-shire were known as "Estirfowlys" and "Wesstir Fowlys". ^{[1] [2]}

The tower may have then been called Ardoch in recognition of a much earlier Roman fortification called the Tower of Ardoch in the county of Perthshire, which interestingly also has two parishes called Fowlis Easter and Fowlis Western.

During the early 16th century Andrew Munro, 3rd of Milntown was granted many chaters for lands including Contullich and Kildermorie in the parish of Alness. He was known as Black Andrew of the Seven Castles because he had a castle on each of his estates including "Contullich Castle" and Milntown Castle.^[3][4].

During the later half of the 16th century the lands of Contullich passed to "Hector Munro, 1st of Contullich and Fyrish" who was a younger son of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis and a younger brother of Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis.

During the 17th century the castle was seat to General Robert Monro of the Munros of Obsdale, who fought in the Thirty Years' War, Bishop's Wars and the Irish Confederate Wars. In 1620 Robert Monro built "a good house" at Contullich. The small castle was replaced with a farmhouse at the end of the 18th century.^[3]

External links

• Castles of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross in the Scottish Highlands.
• Contullich Location at multimap.co.uk

References

1. ^ The Clan Munro by CI Fraser of Reeling published by Johnston & Bacon of Stirling. p.17 to p.19.
2. ^ "History of the Munros of Fowlis". P.13 - 17 by Alexannder MacKenzie
3. ^ ^{a b} Mapping the Clan Munro. Published by the Clan Munro (Association) 1937 - 1987
4. ^ The History of the Munroes of Fowlis by Alexander MacKenzie, p. 267.

Coordinates: 57°42′19″N 4°17′15″W / 57.70528°N 4.2875°W / 57.70528; -4.2875