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Quick facts | Did you know? | Local heroes | Well known landmarks | Local specialities | Best time to visit | What's on | Learn Online

Quick facts

Dingwall - Inbhir Pheofharain

Inbhir Pheofharain means Mouth of the Peffer. The Peffery is the valley and the river that reaches to the Cromarty Firth. The name Dingwall originates from Norse and translates as “court field”.

Population

According to the 2001 census, the population of the town is 5,520.

Twin Towns

Dingwall is part of the Small Town Networks.

Local Clans

Tulloch Castle is the seat of the Chief of the Clan Davidson. Brahan Estate, or Seaforth Estate, is the seat of the Clan MacKenzie.

Gaelic Place names in Dingwall

Knockfarrel – Cnoc Fearralaidh – lies 3 miles west of the town and the name translates as ‘hill of the high cliff’. A large vitrified fort with ramparts stands on top of this hill.

Beauly – A’ Mhanachainn – translates as “the monastery”. It is a shortened form of ‘A’ Mhanachainn Mhic Shimidh’, which means Lovat’s Monastery.

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Did you know?

Dingwall used to be called Bailechaul (Baile Chàil - “the kail village”) until it became a royal burgh and was renamed Dingwall in the 1200s.

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Local heroes

Neil Gunn

The famous Scottish writer, Neil Gunn, resided in Dingwall for a short time. In fact, a memorial in his name can be found 2 miles along the road to Strathpeffer. Gunn used to enjoy walks here looking down the valley into the town.

Kenneth MacKenzie

Better known as the Brahan Seer, this shadowy figure from the seventeenth century was, and still is, renowned for his many prophecies which, for generations following his execution, have continued to come true. It was he who foresaw in detail the downfall of the Seaforth MacKenzies, including the death of Lady Caroline MacKenzie at the hands of her sister, the Hooded Lassie. Coinneach Odhar was widely known as the Scottish Nostradamus. He forecast important future events throughout the Highlands and beyond in minute detail. Unfortunately, he was boiled in oil on a headland near Ord for ‘dabbling in witchcraft’.

Sir Hector MacDonald

Major-General Sir Hector Archibald MacDonald is one of Ross-shire’s most distinguished sons. He was born as Hector MacDonald, a crofter’s son, at Rootfield on the Black Isle in 1853. He joined the Gordon Highlanders in 1870, embarking on an amazing career that saw him rise through the ranks from private to major-general. He saw action in the Afghan and Boer Wars, and in Sudan and India. He led an expedition up the Nile and was an aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria. He had secretly married Christina Duncan in 1884 – the marriage was concealed because Lord Kitchener didn’t like his officers to marry. His career, and life, ended in mystery and despair – he committed suicide in Paris in 1903 amid allegations of ‘moral misconduct’. Today, it is generally believed that the allegations against him were the result of political jealousy. A monument to Sir Hector, completed in 1907, overlooks Dingwall to this day.

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Well known landmarks

Glen Affric and Cannich

Beyond Beauly is Cannich – Canaich translates as ‘Bog cotton place’ – and Gleann Afraic – ‘The Glen of the Affric’ is just a little further beyond Cannich. Both these places contain some of the most spectacular scenery in the Highlands. It is a ‘must visit’ for all walking enthusiasts whereby you can explore the Glen Affric National Nature Reserve.

The Glen was purchased for the nation, by the Forestry Commission in 1951 and was declared a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 2001. A great deal of restoration and conservation work has been carried out to protect one of the largest remaining ancient pinewoods. The Glen contains Coille Ruigh na Cuileig, ‘wood at the midge slope’, which is the largest remaining part of the Caledonian Forest. The Nature Reserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife and you may even spot a pine marten, a capercaillie or a black grouse whilst exploring this beautiful countryside.

Brahan Estate

Brahan Estate, or Seaforth Estate as it is now known, was home to the Brahan Castle and it was on the steps of Brahan Castle that the Jacobite MacKenzies became the first defeated clan forced to surrender their arms and swear allegiance to the English Crown.

A few years later, a famous royal regiment, the Seaforth Highlanders, was raised and took over 500 men from the estate alone.

The Castle was demolished in 1951 and used as foundations for the new Conon Bridge. Brahan House lies on the estate today and it was the original stables of the castle. It is the mysterious power of one of the Seaforth Estate workers, Kenneth MacKenzie or Coinneach Odhar, that has made the Estate famous the world over.

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Local specialities

Although Dingwall is in whisky country, it is also the hometown of champion haggis makers, Cockburns of Dingwall, who have won a host of awards for their produce.

The Glen Ord distillery lies 15 miles north of the city centre and produces a slightly peaty Malt. The source of the water for this sweet tasting malt is the “Allt Fionnaidh” or “White Burn”. The Malt hails from Muir of Ord (or Ord as it is also known).

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Best time to visit

The Glen Affric Walking Festival – June 2007

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What's on

What's on

May

Here is a pick of upcoming events that our characters would like to recommend for the month ahead!

Morag

Mick West And Frank McLoughlin

10/05/07 – Ceilidh Place, Ullapool

Poolewe Ceilidh Nights

05/05/07 – 13/05/07 – Inverness Beltane Festival (Ceòl Beò), Inverness

Hebridean Ensemble

01/06/07 – Fortrose Hall, Fortrose

Melodaidh

Ullapool Book Festival

10/05/07 – 13/05/07 – Ullapool

Still Warm

12/05/07 – Ardross

The Waterboys

15/05/07 – Ironworks, Inverness

The Levellers

17/05/07 – Ironworks, Inverness

Seanair

Glencalvie Challenge

12/05/07

Across Ross

26/05/07 – 27/05/07

Touchwood Festival

01/06/07 – 02/06/07

Dornoch Bridge Walk

10/06/07 - Tain to Dornoch

Munro

4 Nations Semi-Pro Tournament

27/05/07 - Dingwall

Embrace DJs

11/05/07 - Inverness

Primal Scream

25/05/07 - Inverness

Isle of Skye Music Festival

25/05/07-26/05/07- Isle of Skye

Rockness Festival

09/06/07 – 10/06/07 - Dores, Loch Ness

Information about local events and external links to H07 events via the H07 website.

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Learn Online

Learn Online

Learn Gaelic at BBC Alba

The BBC offers an array of online learning tools for the Gaelic beginner. They have their “Beag air Bheag” online course, they have Colin and Cumberland games and they also have an online version of “Litir Bheag” from Radio nan Gàidheal.

Web: www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/alba

learndirect Scotland

learndirect scotland has a range of interesting online courses. These include, among others, a series of online basic Gaelic and Scottish History and Geography Courses:

Gaelic (Gàidhlig):

1. Gaelic for Arts and Festivals

2. Gaelic for Food Services

3. Gaelic for Managers

4. Gaelic for Marketing

5. Gaelic for Outdoor Workers

6. Gaelic for Parents

7. Gaelic for Receptionists

8. Gaelic for Retail Workers

9. Gaelic for TIC Workers

10. Gaelic for Travel Workers

11. Scottish History and Geography

Contact: 0808 100 9000

Web: http://www.learndirectscotland.com

Learn in the Community

Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Àraich (CNSA)

CNSA run a series of “Gàidhlig san Dachaigh” (Gaelic in the Home) courses throughout the Highlands and Islands. The classes are total immersion classes whereby the tutor only converses in Gaelic. There are classes throughout the Highlands in Inverness and Skye areas and also in Argyll.

Contact: CNSA Main Office

Tel: 01463 225 469

Clì Gàidhlig

Clì Gàidhlig run various Gaelic classes in communities throughout Scotland. They run various courses for learners of the language including conversation classes and grammar classes. They have also begun a series of Gaelic Awareness classes.

Contact: DJ MacIntyre

Tel: 01463 226710

Email: dj@cli.org.uk

Web: www.cli.org.uk

Learn Full-Time

Cùrsa Comais – Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

The Cùrsa Comais or Immersion Course is a full-time residential course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland’s Gaelic college. It is aimed at those wishing to obtain fluency in the language and can contribute to the first year of a degree course.

Contact: 01471 888 000

Email: trusadh@smo.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Cùrsa Comais is Cùrsaichean Ceum – Lews Castle College

This course is designed for Gaelic learners who are not yet fluent. You will develop your language skills and learn about the history of the Highlands and Islands. This course can also contribute as the first year of the degree program.

Contact: 01851 770459

Email: annie.macsween@lews.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.lews.uhi.ac.uk/

Learn Part-Time

Short Courses – Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

The Gaelic college on Skye also offers weekly residential courses for beginners and intermediate beginners. A full timetable of courses usually runs during the Easter holidays and also throughout the summer months.

Contact: 01471 888 000

Email: cg@smo.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Short Courses – Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle

The Gaelic centre on Islay offers a short course programme. These courses are for all levels of learners.

Contact: 01496 810 818

Web: http://www.ile.ac.uk/

Cùrsa Inntrigidh - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

The Cùrsa Inntrigidh is a distance-learning course based at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. The course is about gaining the confidence to use your Gaelic practically, with priority given to speaking and listening skills. It takes advantage of new technology to reach those people who are too far away or whose schedule makes it impractical to attend existing courses. Workbooks and accompanying CDs allow students to work at any time of day or night that suits them. Weekly conversation classes through teleconferencing offer the opportunity to chat to tutors and practice with others on the course. Weekend schools held at the College offer the opportunity to consolidate and put into practice what has been learned, as well as the chance to get to know students and tutors in a convivial Gaelic atmosphere.

Contact: 01471 888 000

Email: sm00cin@groupwise.uhi.ac.uk

Web: http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Learn Gaelic Abroad

Comunn Gàidhlig Astràilia

Comunn Gàidhlig Astràilia (The Scottish Gaelic Association of Australia) is a non-profit organisation which supports the language and culture of Scottish Gaels in Australia, and is the primary source of information regarding Gaelic classes and workshops in Australia and New Zealand.

Email: fios@ozgaelic.org

Web: http://www.ozgaelic.org

An Commun Gàidhealach America

The Gaelic Society of America strives to promote and preserve the Gaelic language and culture by supporting Gaelic language study and interest in Gaelic literature, song, music, art and history in North America and the world.

Email: webmaster@acgamerica.org

Web: http://www.acgamerica.org/

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