Contullich Castle
Encyclopedia
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".
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
..
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.
Alness
Alness is a town and civil parish in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. It lies near the Cromarty Firth, with the town of Invergordon to the east and the village of Evanton to the south west...
, on the eastern side of the county of Ross-shire
Ross-shire
Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The castle is believed to date back until at least the 14th century. In 1379 Euphemia I, Countess of Ross
Euphemia I, Countess of Ross
Euphemia I , also called Euphemia of Ross and Euphemia Ross, and sometimes incorrectly styled Euphemia Leslie and Euphemia Stewart , was a Countess of Ross in her own right.Euphemia was the elder daughter of Uilleam III, Mormaer 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
Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis
Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis was a 14th - 15th century Scottish soldier and said to be 12th chief of the Clan Munro in the Scottish Highlands. Hugh was seated at Foulis Castle in Ross-shire, Scotland...
. The Munros lands in eastern Ross-shire
Ross-shire
Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross...
were known as "Estirfowlys" and "Wesstir Fowlys".
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
Perthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, which interestingly also has two parishes called Fowlis Easter and Fowlis Western.
During the early 16th century Andrew Munro, 3rd of Milntown
Munros of Milntown
The Munros of Milntown were a family cadet branch of the Highland Clan Munro. They were the 'senior' cadet branch of the clan and spawned many cadet branches. They were frequently recorded as 'Monro' as well as Munro...
was granted many chaters for lands including Contullich and Kildermorie in the parish of Alness
Alness
Alness is a town and civil parish in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland. It lies near the Cromarty Firth, with the town of Invergordon to the east and the village of Evanton to the south west...
. 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
Milntown Castle
Milntown Castle was an early 16th century castle which was situated near Milton, in Easter Ross, in the Scottish Highlands. It was built by the Munros of Milntown, a cadet branch of the Clan Munro. In 1656, the castle was sold to George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie also known as George...
..
During the later half of the 16th century the lands of Contullich passed to "Hector Munro, 1st of Contullich and Fyrish
Fyrish Monument
The Fyrish Monument is a monument built in 1782 on Fyrish Hill , in Fyrish near Evanton, Easter Ross, Scotland, on the orders of Sir Hector Munro, 8th of Novar, a native lord of the area who had served in India as a general...
" who was a younger son of Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis
Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis
Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis was a Scottish Highlander, soldier and clan chief of the Clan Munro. He was seated at Foulis Castle...
and a younger brother of Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis
Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis
Robert Mor Munro, 15th Baron of Foulis and 18th chief of the Clan Munro was a 16th century Scottish chief. He was known as Robert Mor on account of his large stature. He was the eldest son of Robert Munro, 14th 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
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
, Bishop's Wars and the Irish Confederate Wars
Irish Confederate Wars
This article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....
. 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.