ORIGINS: REDCASTLE & SPITAL SHORE |
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On an earlier bus trip, we had an opportunity to look across the Beauly Firth towards the western neck of the peninsula known as the Black Isle. Not far beyond the sailboat in this photo, our ancestors, Alexander Ross and Margaret Noble, settled at Spital Shore on the Redcastle Estate. Millbuie Ridge, in the background, runs like a spine down the length of the peninsula, and it is shared by almost every parish. |
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The postmistress at North Kessock also provided a taxi service. She parked her car and gave us some current of the history of the castle. The owner, Lord Burton, once lived in this Norman castle prior to World War II, and a small garden was still kept by a gardener. The castle housed soldiers during the war, but the roof was removed afterwards to avoid paying the higher rates (taxes). |
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Redcastle's ancient name was Eddyrdor, when it was erected in 1178 by William The Lion as a means to hold the northern land of Ross secure against uprisings. Today (Monday, August 5, 1974), much of the material from the floors and ceilings had fallen through to the ground floors. A square stairway led upwards inside the entrance. A room with a fireplace stood to the right, and a "guard room" to the left was filled with rubble. |
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I noted that the walls of Redcastle were just over two feet thick, and they had narrow vertical, rectangular openings as viewports for defence. In modern times, there was no defence from the trees growing from the high turrets. [The humour of the name "Redhas" or Red House on an 1841 Census Record at Shore-Of-Drynie was clear.] |
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We met an elderly lady walking her dog, and she happened to be the sister of Mrs. Poulson at the "Acharry" sign at Spital Shore. Before the local clearances of 1829, Alexander Ross and Margaret Noble had built a cotter's home below on the land of her parents, Alexander Noble and Margaret McRae. |
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Seven of their nine children were born on this land. They were Alexander Ross (January 11, 1814), Margaret Ross (December 7, 1817), Donald Ross (May 17, 1820), Isabella Ross (c.March, 1821), Elizabeth Ross (January 1, 1823), Roderick Ross (July 15, 1825) and William Ross (August 9, 1828). [Catharine Ross (June 1, 1831) and Agnes Ross (late 1832) were born at "Redhas".] |
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On Spital Shore, the black moss mud of the Beauly River joins the brackish tidal waters from the North Sea. Nearer the shore, I located the fieldstone ruins of a cotter's home ... very likely that of our ancestors. A couple of short Rowan trees (mountain ash) stood nearby as memorials to the early settlers. [Those pictures, unfortunately, were taken on 8mm movie film.] |