Foulis Castle

Foulis Castle lies in the parish of Kiltearn, about 1.5 miles southwest of the village of Evanton in the Highland area of northern Scotland. The castle has been the seat of the Clan Munro for over eight hundred years. During the 11th century, the clan chief was given the castle and Foulis lands as a reward from the Earl of Ross for defeating Viking invaders. The remains of an 11th-century Motte (man-made mound topped by a wooden palisade), believed to be the very first fortification at Foulis, still remain in the castle grounds today.

Early history

Foulis Castle itself is mentioned briefly in records that date back to the 14th century although the original Tower of Foulis was believed to have been built in 1154. It is recorded by contemporary evidence that Uilleam III, Earl of Ross granted a charter to Robert de Munro of Foulis for the lands of "Estirfowlys" with the "Tower of Strathskehech" from 1350. It is also recorded that Euphemia I, Countess of Ross granted two charters to Robert's son, Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis in 1394. One of them dated 4 May 1394 is in respect of the "Wesstir Fowlys" and the "Tower of Strathschech", named so because of the River Sgitheach that passes through nearby Strath Skiach and into the Cromarty Firth.

A document signed and sealed at Foulis Castle in 1491 reads in Gaelic "caisteal biorach, nead na h-iolair", which means "castle gaunt-peaked, the eagle's nest".This is in allusion to the clan chief's hereldic emblem.

In 1542 Donald MacKay of Strathnaver, chief of the Clan MacKay was imprisoned in Foulis Castle, when he was captured after the Battle of Alltan-Beath. The castles "tower and fortalice" are also mentioned in a charter from the crown in 1587. In times of clan warfare, a signal beacon was lit on the highest tower of Foulis Castle to gather the clan under arms, hence the Munro slogan or gathering cry of "Caisteal Foghlais na theine," meaning Castle Foulis ablaze.

The castle survived up to the 18th century until it was attacked by Jacobites in 1746. The Clan Munro had been away on duty for the Government under the command of the chief's brother George Munro of Culcairn. Chief Sir Robert was commanding an English regiment at the Battle of Falkirk (1746) with his brother Dr Duncan Munro where they were both killed. After which the castle was burned by the Jacobites.

Robert's son the next successive chief, Sir Harry Munro returned home from captivity to find the castle had been set on fire and much of the castle had been destroyed. The Jacobites were defeated just a few months later by Government forces at the Battle of Culloden. Chief Sir Harry Munro set about rebuilding the castle incorporating what he could of the original building. However as the Battle of Culloden had brought a complete end to the Highland clan system there was no need for such a defensive fort anymore. As with many castles at this time it was re-built as a large mansion house as we see it today.

Restoration

Unfortunately no records survive of what the fortifications at Castle Foulis looked like before 1746. However much has been learned about the castle and what the fortifications might have looked before 1746 by Captain and Mrs. Munro in their various stages of restoration. They believe that it was probably surrounded by a series of smaller dwellings, of possibly a fortified nature. They found in 1957–59, much evidence to suggest that in the courtyard area horses and cattle were kept, and that it was a self-contained community able to withstand a siege, when attacked.

Certainly the foundations of the Castle are of mammoth proportions, as has been found by the late Chief during the three stages of restoration that he and his wife have carried out — in 1957–59, 1977–79, and most recently, in 1985–86. The Tower was obviously a "fortification", as its walls at the ground level are a massive five feet six inches thick. In May 1985, while repairs were being carried out in part to the Courtyard building, an interesting discovery was made. Four "cannon loops of an inverted key hole type," dating from the early part of the 16th century, were discovered behind four wedge-shaped, blocked-up apertures facing north, south, east and west in a five-foot-, six-inch-thick wall. Above them is a barrel-vaulted stone ceiling.

This building, at one time separate from the Castle, had certainly been constructed as a small defensive fort with an all-round "field of fire" to guard against possible attack.

At some later date, perhaps after 1746 and when the Chief felt that the chances of attack had lessened, the use of this building had changed. Three of the apertures had been completely blocked while the fourth had been partially blocked, leaving a narrow slit six inches wide and three feet long, into which a three-quarter-inch iron bar was strongly built, giving light, some air and access through which food could be passed to the unfortunate prisoner. It was likely the castle's gaol. According to Munro sources, some of the stone wall of the original castle was found under the plaster of the current main mansion house building at Foulis.

Foulis Castle is not to be confused with Fowlis Castle, a completely different, and much smaller, fortified house in the village of Fowlis Easter, near Dundee. The coincidence in name is doubtless to be attributed to both castles being derived from Gaelic - foghlais, 'streamlet'.

References

See also

  • Clan Munro
  • Castles in Scotland

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Sophie MacGregor
17 July 2016
Beautiful views wherever you look, the meringues are to die for and I love the wee shop as well. Staff are very friendly.
Gina Wijgerse
20 July 2015
Everything and I mean everything is ootw here. The high quality of food is impressive and the home baked goods are to die for. Huge portions, excellent service and lovely ambiance. Not 2b missed!
Ann Rayner
2 November 2012
We went for a sandwich and coffee at lunchtime They had a really good menu. Service was great and food delicious We could not get a seat with a. View as it was really busy really enjoyed it
Yvonne Miles
26 April 2014
The food is fantastic! The prices are very reasonable. Staff are friendly and the big guy who I think is the owner, is a hunk ;-)
Iain Cottingham
28 August 2021
An excellent selection for breakfast. The full breakfast is fairly sizeable. The eggs were poached perfectly.
Kenny Barclay
29 April 2016
Great home cooked food. The shop has there own range of frozen meals which are lovely
Load more comments
foursquare.com
7.4/10
1,182 people have been here
Map
Foulis Castle, Evanton, Dingwall, Highland IV16 9UX, UK Get directions
Mon-Sat 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Storehouse Of Foulis on Foursquare

Foulis Castle on Facebook

Other languages

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
westmore bed and breakfast

starting $0

Tulloch Castle Hotel

starting $208

Kincraig Castle Hotel

starting $162

Ben Wyvis Hotel

starting $73

Novar Arms Hotel

starting $117

The Royal Guest House

starting $55

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Dingwall Castle

Dingwall Castle was a medieval fort in the town of Dingwall, eastern

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Highland Theological College

The Highland Theological College is located in Dingwall, Scotland. It

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castle Leod

Castle Leod is located near Strathpeffer in the east of Ross-shire in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Redcastle

Redcastle (Scottish Gaelic: an Caisteal ruadh), historically known as

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Fortrose Cathedral

Fortrose Cathedral was the episcopal seat (cathedra) of the medieval

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Beauly Priory

Beauly Priory was a Valliscaulian monastic community located at

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Fort George, Highland

Fort George, Ardersier, Highland, Scotland, is a large 18th century

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
River Ness

The River Ness (Scottish Gaelic: 'Abhainn Nis') is a river flowing

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, pronounced ])

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tower of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Château de Vincennes

The Château de Vincennes is a massive 14th and 17th century French

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury Gardens is the former estate of John Shaffer Phipps

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Arundel Castle

Arundel Castle in Arundel, West Sussex, England is a restored medieval

See all similar places