Contullich Castle

Contullich Castle stands in the Highland council area, a few miles north-west of Alness. It overlooks the fertile valley of the River Averon on the eastern side of Ross-shire. The site has been occupied since at least the 11th century. In 1379 the castle and its lands passed to Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis, through the confirmation of Euphemia I, Countess of Ross. By the early 16th century Andrew Munro, 3rd of Milntown, held charters for Contullich and nearby Kildermorie. He earned the name Black Andrew of the Seven Castles for owning a castle on each of his estates. The castle remained in the Munro family through the 16th century. Hector Munro, 1st of Contullich and Fyrish, received the lands from his father Robert Munro, 14th Baron of Foulis. In the 17th century General Robert Monro of the Munro of Obsdale family made Contullich his seat. Robert Monro fought in the Thirty Years’ War, the Bishop’s Wars and the Irish Confederate Wars. In 1620 he replaced the old castle with a new house described as ‘a good house’. By the late 18th century the castle had been replaced by a farmhouse. The site still shows traces of its earlier importance. Visitors can walk the surrounding fields and see the remains of the old structure. The view across the valley takes in the wider landscape of Ross-shire. The farmhouse itself is a later addition but stands on ground once filled by a medieval stronghold.