History and Heritage

Groam House Museum

High Street
Rosemarkie
Ross-shire, IV10 8UF

Tel/Fax: 01381 620961/621730

Email:       curator@groamhouse.org.uk

Web Site: http://www.groamhouse.org.uk

Find out more about the early inhabitants of northern Scotland in this award-winning Registered Museum, 'Commended' as a Visitor Attraction by the Scottish Tourist Board.

Groam House Museum is an outstanding Pictish Centre for Ross and Cromarty. The unique display is focussed on 15 carved Pictish stones. All the stones originated in Rosemarkie, some dating back to the 8th century AD, when it was an important centre of early Christianity. The pride of the collection is the magnificent Rosemarkie cross-slab, decorated with enigmatic Pictish symbols. An introductory video 'The Picts in Ross-Shire' sets the scene for visitors. They are then at leisure to view the stones and display, as well as browse through the comprehensive collection of photographs of the Pictish stones in Scotland. Children are welcome and activities include making rubbings of Pictish symbols, together with the opportunity to play a reconstructed Pictish harp.

An archive of local photographs is available, as well as local oral history material/projects. Two additional videos about the Brahan Seer, the famous Highland prophet, may be viewed.

There is wheelchair access to the ground floor only where there is a permanent Pictish display and shop.

Opening Hours:
May to September: 10am to 5pm Monday - Saturday; 2pm to 4.30pm Sunday;
October to April:    2pm to 4pm Saturday & Sunday, or by prior appointment.

Fortrose Cathedral

Historic Scotland
Cathedral Square
Fortrose
Ross-shire

Tel: 0131 668 8600

Email:

Web Site: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Only the south aisle of the nave and chapter house survive at this beautiful red sandstone cathedral at Fortrose, built in the first half of the 13th century, though it was extended and altered in the 14th and 15th centuries.

Gates are open from 9.00am to 8.00pm

Cromarty Court House

Church Street
Cromarty
Ross-shire, IV11 8XA

Tel: 01381 600418

Email:       courthouse@mail.cali.co.uk

Web Site: http://www.cromarty-courthouse.org.uk

Cromarty Courthouse is a registered museum providing an enjoyable way to explore Cromarty's past and resources for those with a serious interest in the history of the North of Scotland.

Activites include a reconstructed trial in the 18th century courtroom, children's costumes, prison cells, a video presentation of 800 years of Cromarty's history, artefacts, high quality display panels, an audio tape tour of the older part of the town and leaflets for walks in and around Cromarty.

There are over 50 public access files on various aspects of the history of Cromarty, computer data bases of court and other records, an archive of photographs, a school education pack, the museum's reserve collection and a professional curator/historian to assist you.

Opening Hours:
April to October:                           10am to 5pm every day.
November, December and March: 12 noon to 4pm every day.
January and February:                    Opening by prior arrangement.

An entrance fee is charged.

Hugh Miller's Cottage

Church Street
Cromarty
Ross-shire, IV11 8XA

Tel: 01381 600245

Email:       info@hughmiller.org

Web Site: http://www.hughmiller.org

This cottage is the birthplace of Hugh Miller, stonemason, geologist, author, journalist and editor, whose life was cut tragically short at the age of 54.

Hugh Miller's remarkable history is told in the cottage: which contains his personal belongings, including his geological hammer, microscope and mason's mallet. A video film charts the achievments of this largely self-taught 'lad o' pairts'.

The cottage also contains Hugh Miller's beautiful fossil collection featuring his original discoveries in the old red sandstone, and many other outstanding finds revealing pre-historic Britain.

Opening Hours:
May to September: 11.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm