Brahan Castle ⋆ Ross and Cromarty Heritage

Brahan Castle

Attribution: S. Fraser (Maryburgh Primary School March 2015)

BRAHAN CASTLE

A tower house built for the MacKenzies of Kintail and Seaforth. Much enlarged and remodelled in the late 18th and 19th centuries, demolished in 1952. The fine stable range has converted to a house. The castle was demolished in 1951, the rubble unceremoniously used as foundations for the new Conon Bridge.

Attribution: Photograph donated by Mrs Rosemary Henderson, Maryburgh.

The Castle: Home of the Seaforth Highlanders

Due to the exorbitant costs of upgrading, Brahan Castle was dismantled in 1953. Built in the early 17th century, it was a stronghold of the MacKenzies.

In this picture, the Seaforth Highlanders are drilling in front of the castle during the time it served as a regiment barracks. Brahan was a grand residence, teeming with servants and the social elite of the time, and renowned for its elegant balls and shooting parties.

The Brahan Seer foretold the demolition of the castle.

Built in the early 17th century, it was a stronghold of the MacKenzies

Attribution: Photograph donated by Mrs Rosemary Henderson, Maryburgh.

The Entrance to the Castle

Postcard, bearing Edward VII stamp and franked 18 July (year unclear but must be before 1911), addressed to Miss Lundie, Estcourt, Beauly, and reads:

Dear Nan, I hope you got home entire yon night. Haven’t heard yet if we are to get Friday, most likely not. Don’t forget the fan book like a (unclear) and anything in the way of recitations. Do you remember yon recitation book we had at one of the concerts. Martha did one and “Dg” McLean yon one “Never go to France”. Can you by any stretch of memory recall the name of that book. This imposing entrance is just a wee bit up the road from the school.
Yours with love, Nan.

Attribution: Photograph donated by Mrs Rosemary Henderson, Maryburgh.

The interior of the Castle

Below you’ll find a collection of photographs of the interior of Brahan Castle. At present we have little precise information about the interior of the castle so we’ve had to guess at the likely functions of the rooms in order to give the images more convenient headings. We would welcome contributions and information relating to these images. If anyone would like to contribute to this or any related topics please contact Ross and Cromarty Heritage Society .

Attribution: Photograph donated by Mrs Rosemary Henderson, Maryburgh.

The Golden Bed

“History of the Golden Bed of Brahan.

“Colonel Daniel Mackenzie was for some time in the service of Colin Earl of Seaforth and afterwards, going abroad, served in the wars for several years in Moscow and Flanders.

“There, having by his merit and valour run through the inferior degrees of honour, he at length attained that of a Colonel of a Regiment of Foot and married the daughter of Dean Wolfard, Count de Vredrad, Governor of Buldorbe in Flanders, a descendant of the noble and illustrious House of Nassau.”

Having a desire to see his friends and native country, Colonel Mackenzie came over to Scotland and brought to his old master Colin Earl of Seaforth a rich and sumptuous bed, commonly called the Golden Bed of Brahan because of the gold trappings, embroiderings and gildings that were upon a sea-green coloured velvet furniture belonging to it. But Earl Colin, dying before his arrival, he presented it to Earl George.

Now it is in Falkland Palace, in Fife, under the care of the National Trust of Scotland.

Attribution: Photograph donated by Mrs Rosemary Henderson, Maryburgh.

View more photographs of Brahan Castle

Click on photo album to view thumbnails and then click thumbnail to see the full size images

Maryburgh » Maryburgh Folk

Angus S Christie

Angus with the engraved hip flask which he received from the community of Maryburgh in appreciation of his work in establishing a hall and organising other annual events in the village over a period of 42 years.

Colin Cameron, Piper to the Duke of Fife

Donald Cameron, Piper to Keith Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth, in 1864

Donald (left) and Hugh (right) Chisholm with their father.

Donald J Chisholm 1938-2017

Drama group?

The date of this photograph is unknown but it may be taken outside a wooden building (hall?) which was known to be beside Albert Place. The white building in the background may be Maryburgh Inn. Writing on the back identifies the participants - in a drama of some sort? Back row, l-r: Mrs Hendry, Sybil Mackay (Albert Place); Mrs Mackenzie; Mrs Higgs. Middle row, l-r: Mrs Macdonald (Schoolhouse); Miss Campbell (teacher); Daisy Carr. Front row, l-r: Miss Mackenzie (Anne's house); Mrs Munro.

Frank Menzies at his garage

Frank Menzies at his garage which was opposite the old Tollhouse (area now the dwelling "Tigh Abhinn").

The entrance to Frank's garage, opposite the Tollhouse.

Looking through Frank Menzies garage entrance towards Maryburgh

Grave of Frank and his wife Jane Menzies

George Murdoch (on the left)

George Murdoch (on the left) at the opening of the new Maryburgh Amenities Centre in May 1981. Angus Christie (centre) and Angus' wife Betty in the red coat.

George donated an electrical cardiograph machine to Dingwall Health Centre

George donated an electrical cardiograph machine to Dingwall Health Centre in 1985.

George Murdoch gift of his estate

George's final act as a benefactor was to leave his entire estate to the RNLI as a major contribution to a new lifeboat to be stationed in Scotland. Angus Christie presents the cheque to Maren Fitzgerald of the RNLI. Looking on are Jane Chisholm (left) and Betty Christie (right).

Hugh Chisholm

Roddie Campbell 1916-2011

Roddie Campbell 1916-2011 Photograph courtesy of Colin Campbell, his son.

Rt. Hon. James Alexander Stewart-Mackenzie

Rt. Hon. James Alexander Stewart-Mackenzie, son of Vice-Admiral Hon. Keith Stewart, MP for County of Ross-shire, Governor of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Lord High Commissioner for Ionian Islands 1784-1843.

Kenneth, 3rd Earl of Seaforth, died 1678

Kenneth, 4th Earl of Seaforth and 1st Marquis. Died 1701

Lady Madeline Stewart-Mackenzie with Col. Tyler at Brahan.

Hon. Mary Frederika Elizabeth Mackenzie

The inscription on the portrait reads: Hon. Mary Frederika Elizabeth daughter of Francis Humberston, Lord Seaforth. Born 1783, died 1862. Married first 1804 Admiral Sir Samuel Hood who died 1814. Married second 1817 Rt. Hon. James Alexander Stewart Mackenzie.

Mary Mackenzie

Mary Mackenzie, Gairloch, who later moved to Maryburgh.

Mary Gordon Ross (later Menzies)

Mary Gordon Ross (later Menzies) 248962 J/Cmdr ATS Catering Pool, Army School Cookery, Aldershot. Left 28 September 1945. BEM. Mentioned in Dispatches.

Official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross

This is the official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross. Her name is marked with blue ink in the left margin.

Official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross

This is the official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross. Her name is marked with blue ink in the left margin.

Official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross

This is the official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross. Her name is marked with blue ink in the left margin.

Official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross

This is the official list confirming the commendation awarded to Mary Gordon Ross. Her name is marked with blue ink in the left margin.

Mary Gordon Ross (later Menzies)

Margaret (Chisholm) Macleod and her brother Donnie

Margaret (Chisholm) Macleod, author of above article, with her brother Donnie.

Mrs Margaret Mackay on 3 October 2014, celebrating her 100th birthday

Mrs Margaret Mackay on 3 October 2014, celebrating her 100th birthday with family and friends in Wyvis House, Dingwall, and showing her congratulatory card from HM The Queen.

Angus Mackenzie of Maryburgh, piper

This picture was taken at the time of the Paris Olympics 1924 and the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The piper standing closest to the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII and even later the Duke of Windsor) is Angus Mackenzie of Maryburgh. The British Olympic team in the background is the team that many years later inspired the famous film Chariots of Fire. [Photograph courtesy of Bill and Joan Mackenzie]

Rev. Roderick Mackenzie in his later years

Rev. Roderick Mackenzie in his later years. Photograph courtesy of Mrs Margaret Bull, Melbourne, Australia, his great-granddaughter.

Seaforth Cottage

Seaforth Cottage can be seen adjacent to Maryburgh Shop (formerly Post Office). Seaforth Cottage was given to Donald Cameron, pupil of John MacKay of Raasay and source of the Cameron school of Piobaireachd playing, in 1864 and was lived in by him, then his son Colin and grandson Colin.