Scatwell House

A 20 acre estate amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in Scotland. This 17th Century mansion, formerly the seat of a Chieftain of the Clan Mackenzie, has been totally refurbished and decorated to modern standards. Boasts ten bedrooms, eight bathrooms, five large reception rooms, a party hall and a huge dining room.

Tarbat Church

A church has been on record here since at least 1255, and the present building dates from a complete restoration in 1746.

Rights were acquired by Mackenzie of Tarbat in 1634 for the use of the church by him and his heirs as a burial place.

An impressive mural monument in the north aisle of the church commemorates William Mackenzie, minister of the parish from 1638.

There are many interesting funerary monuments (from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries) in the churchyard, the most imposing being that of Thomas Dingwall and Hector Mackenzie.

Many Pictish and early mediaeval remains have been discovered around the church. Funding has been secured for a major archaeological excavation of the site, and this is now well under way.

Flowerdale House

Following the Marriage to his cousin, Janet of Scatwell, Sir Alexander Mackenzie of Gairloch (the ninth laird) built in 1738 the original Flowerdale House - often referred to in that time as "An Tigh Dige" (The Moat House), after the previous main residence nearby on the estate. The present, fine mansion is the result of substantial extra building in 1904 to the west (to the left, in the picture), the two differently-sized gables, along with the bow fronted bay, resulting in the very pleasing and individual appearance of this famous seat of the Mackenzies of Gairloch.

Fortrose Cathedral

This atmospheric, 13th-century ruin - situated in the very charming centre of this Moray Firth village - is a mere fragment of the church founded here by King David I of Scotland for the see of Ross. The existing remains are the south aisle of the nave and the nearby sacristy or undercroft of the chapter house.

The building contains some important Mackenzie history, including many marble tablets commemorating members of the Seaforth Mackenzie family, and also a dominating memorial, built circa 1800 to Sir Alexander Mackenzie of Coul, depicting amongst other things a ruined castle thought possibly to be the original seat of the Mackenzies of Coul. There are other Mackenzies of Coul grave slabs in a small mural chamber.
[Fortrose Cathedral is in the care of Historic Scotland, and the grounds are open to the public all year round.]

Udrigle House

Udrigle House, occupying an idyllic situation on the shores of Gruinard Bay (just visible on the right of the picture) has been stated to be one of the most distinctive of the surviving small Laird's houses in the Highlands. Built in 1745 for a cadet of the Mackenzie family (a marriage stone inside the house is inscribed "17 WMK LMK 45" for William and Lilias Mackenzie, 1745).

Udrigle is now a restoration success story, having been completely renovated inside and out, thanks to the time, trouble, energy and part-grant-assisted (40% from Historic Scotland for listed items) investment of its owners, Mr Donald and Mrs Johanna Mackenzie, who now invite self-catering holiday makers to enjoy a stay in Udrigle House and live the life of the Laird but with all modern comforts.
[For a leaflet contact: Udrigle House, Laide, Ross-shire, Scotland, IV22 2NR. A large-format paperback book: "The History of Udrigle House", can be obtained from the same address.]

Fairburn Tower

Fairburn Tower stands high on a ridge between the Orrin and Conon river valleys and dates from the 16th century. The Brahan Seer [See the Seer's prophecy on Fairburn Tower] prophesied remarkable things about the Mackenzies of Fairburn and the Tower!

The castle eventually became a ruin and in 1851, when a cow calved in the garret, it was being used by a farmer to store hay. The cow had gone up the tower following a trail of hay, had a good feed at the top and became stuck. She gave birth to a fine calf and both were taken down some five days later.