Maryburgh Introduction

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

An Introduction

The founding of the village of Maryburgh is of comparatively recent origin. It dates from 1815 when Mary Elizabeth MacKenzie returned to Brahan Estate on the death of her father.

Since those early beginnings a thriving community has developed.

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Maryburgh » Maryburgh History » Maryburgh Prisoner Of War Camp
All but three huts have been pulled down.
All but three huts have been pulled down.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
The site was used as a storage area for farm machinery
The site was used as a storage area for farm machinery
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
All but three huts have been pulled down.
All but three huts have been pulled down.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
All but three huts have been pulled down.
All but three huts have been pulled down.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
The Camp as it was in 1998
The Camp as it was in 1998
The camp as it was in 1998
The camp as it was in 1998
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000 Early in the year 2000 the trees surrounding the camp were taken down. This actually gives a much better impression of what the camp was like during the war. This has also cleared the area where the football pitch was located and can be seen quite clearly. Two other concrete foundations are also visible including the spot where the "glasshouse" was possibly situated. The close proximity of the factor's house to the camp is also very visible (first photo).
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000 Early in the year 2000 the trees surrounding the camp were taken down. This actually gives a much better impression of what the camp was like during the war. This has also cleared the area where the football pitch was located and can be seen quite clearly. Two other concrete foundations are also visible including the spot where the "glasshouse" was possibly situated. The close proximity of the factor's house to the camp is also very visible (first photo).
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 2000 Early in the year 2000 the trees surrounding the camp were taken down. This actually gives a much better impression of what the camp was like during the war. This has also cleared the area where the football pitch was located and can be seen quite clearly. Two other concrete foundations are also visible including the spot where the "glasshouse" was possibly situated. The close proximity of the factor's house to the camp is also very visible (first photo).
The official line dried up before it got started so I decided to go with the local history available.
The official line dried up before it got started so I decided to go with the local history available.
Celebration of 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Celebration of 1953 Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Estate workers children were given commemorative tins to mark the Queen's Coronation in 1953. This photo shows the presentation taking place at the former camp. The huts can be seen quite clearly in the background.
Original entrance roadway
Original entrance roadway
Original entrance roadway. There were two entrances. One was quite grand with a proper sentry gate and three enormous stone emblems. There were also flags flying alongside.
Hut foundations are clearly visible.
Hut foundations are clearly visible.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
Macrae's Garage, Dingwall
Macrae's Garage, Dingwall
The garage has been ideitified as Macrae's Garage at the corner of Hill Street and High Street. The site became a building used as the local (motor) taxation office and then Dingwall Post Office before this office moved to the west end of High Street in 2013. The man second from left was Finlay Forbes from Muir of Ord and the woman was Anne Macdonald (Gordon) from Strathpeffer.
One of the remaining huts with stove.
One of the remaining huts with stove.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
In 1998 the one remaining hut was still being used by the local Venture Scout Group.
In 1998 the one remaining hut was still being used by the local Venture Scout Group.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
Prisoner of War Camp, Brahan
Prisoner of War Camp, Brahan
Map showing location of the camp
Map showing location of the camp
The site of the former camp is to be found along the Maryburgh to Ullapool road approximately two miles from the village of Maryburgh and on the left hand side. It lies between the house named Tallysow and the North Lodge. It is part of the large, historically important estate of Brahan which is owned by Mr A M H Matheson.
Artist: Unknown POW, Brahan. (The painting was salvaged fom the wall of a camp building.)
Artist: Unknown POW, Brahan. (The painting was salvaged fom the wall of a camp building.)
Dingwall Thistle Football Club
Dingwall Thistle Football Club
Dingwall Thistle Football Club Back row, l-r: Johnnny Macdonald, Ackie Macpherson, Sonny Sutherland, Angus Goodall, Willie Shearer, David Hamilton, Duncan Ross, Polson Morrison, Willie Wilson. Front row, l-r: Hugh Urquhart, Jimmy Shand, ? Seigall, Davie Lawson, James Macdonald
Plan of POW Camp
Plan of POW Camp
Photocopy of a postcard sent home to Germany in 1947 by a POW at Brahan
Photocopy of a postcard sent home to Germany in 1947 by a POW at Brahan
P.O.W. Herbert / Peter Wilson / James Wilson (estate factor ) / Jimmy Wilson / P.O.W. Peter
P.O.W. Herbert / Peter Wilson / James Wilson (estate factor ) / Jimmy Wilson / P.O.W. Peter
Prisoner of War - now living locally
Prisoner of War - now living locally
Prisoners of War
Prisoners of War
Letter from daughter of a German POW
Letter from daughter of a German POW
The letter and photo below came from the daughter of a German POW who worked as the ration wagon driver at Brahan.
The ablutions.
The ablutions.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
The ablutions.
The ablutions.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
The remaining ablutions hut.
The remaining ablutions hut.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
The stone Ukranian Emblem dated 1949
The stone Ukranian Emblem dated 1949
This stone was to be seen at the site for a number of years. Another emblem was removed at some point and acquired by the lady owner of Malton Ville in Conon Bridge. When she moved to Grantown the stone emblem went too. It is not known whether that stone was returned to Brahan.
The stone Ukranian Emblem dated 1949
The stone Ukranian Emblem dated 1949
This stone was to be seen at the site for a number of years. Another emblem was removed at some point and acquired by the lady owner of Malton Ville in Conon Bridge. When she moved to Grantown the stone emblem went too. It is not known whether that stone was returned to Brahan.
The remains of the water tower.
The remains of the water tower.
THE CAMP AS IT WAS IN 1998
Beaufort Castle
Beaufort Castle
Although thjis is Beaufort castle, Beauly, Heinz Mainus was transferred from the POW camp at Brahan
Heinrich Mainus
Heinrich Mainus
Heinrich Mainus or Heinz, was transferred from Brahan POW camp to Kiltarlity whetre he remained after the war.
POW Brahan/Beauly ID card
POW Brahan/Beauly ID card
This is the ID card of Heinrich Mainus who was transferred from the Brahan camp to the cam at Kiltarlity
POW Brahan postcard
POW Brahan postcard
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