Summer 2022: Fyrish Monument
A few weeks before our Summer 2022 holiday I came across an article about the Fyrish Monument which I had never heard of before. It looked intriguing: a prominent, strange structure in the hills above the A9. A quick look at the map suggested that a small detour would make this an ideal stop on our cross country journey from Ullapool to the Black Isle.
It’s a straightforward climb through woodland, and the views from the top over the Cromarty Firth and inland towards Ben Wyvis are tremendous.
But what actually is it? It was built in 1783 by the local laird, Sir Hector Munro – or rather, he commanded it to be built as he would not, of course, have dirtied his own hands. Munro had commanded the British Forces in India, when they defeated the Dutch at the Siege of Negapatam, a town in Madras. The pillars and arches of the monument are based on its gates, thus glorifying Munro’s achievement. However, they also acted as a kind of unemployment relief: this was the time of the Highland Clearances when many people were starving, having been removed from land that their families had worked for generations. There were no handouts: food had to be worked for, and Munro thought up this building project to employ the local destitute. It is said that he even rolled some of the stones downhill to give the labourers extra work bringing them back up again. I can’t make my mind up if that makes him a kind man or a monster!
Anyway, it was a lovely walk after which we continued our drive to our final destination, Cromarty in the Black Isle. More to follow …
Linked to Jo’s Monday Walk.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Well worth the walk to visit, I’m sure.
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It certainly was!
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Hi Anabel – one of those true but odd quirks of Scottish life – how very odd – but I can believe it … sad times we lived in back then. How interesting in a stunning part of the world – I’m glad you brought it to our attention. Cheers Hilary
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It is odd, I agree. And sad times then – better now, but still sad and difficult for many.
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Well, it was worth looking at but like you I’m a bit conflicted about the man’s motives. The views are gorgeous though.
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I’ve decided to be generous and assume he meant well!
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He probably thought he was doing his best.
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A lovely tour.
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Thank you!
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My Scottish wildcat story is set in the Black Isle, in a red sandstone ruin called Redcastle. The cats are looking for a new home and settle in the tower as the sun sets on a beautiful landscape. You can see more about Redcastle here: https://www.livebreathescotland.com/redcastle-inverness/
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I’ve just looked up your link – what a lovely place and so sad to see it in ruins. Somewhere to visit next time we are up there!
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Seen a photograph of it in the 1980s in the Scots Magazine ( at that time a hand sized booklet with finger sized photos, many in black and white) and that one caught the eye along with its history. Always wanted to go there along with the Black Rock of Novar gorge close by but never did as any trip with hill walking friends up that way involved bagging lists of hills and nothing else.
If I wanted to see anything other than hills it was a solo effort and with the price of fuel nowadays I’m content to stay local at the moment. Luckily I’m happy with that.
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Not heard of that gorge either! It’s not an area we know well at all. One for the future.
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You had me at ‘Ullapool to the Black Isle’ – I did that drive once, a long time ago, but I never noticed the monument.
Love those views :sigh:
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Ah, you wouldn’t notice because we detoured north to get there. The views were quite something!
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Ah, we have ‘find employment for the deserving poor’, monuments near here, our nearest being a mini- Stonehenge known as The Druid’s Temple’. The landowner even employed a resident ‘hermit’.
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They are all heart, eh?
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😉
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A very unusual monument with some great views, and I like the story of Munro rolling the stones down the hill – at least his workers wouldn’t need to go to a gym for the exercise! 🙂
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No, Indeed! Poor wretches.
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What a great monument! Lovely to find something different. Thanks a lot, Anabel. Have a good week!
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Thanks Jo! It seems odd that I had never heard of this place before, but it made a nice interlude to break up our drive.
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