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Foulis Castle
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Foulis Castle is situated two miles south-west of Evanton in the parish of Kiltearn, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland.[1] It is a white washed mansion that incorporates an old tower house with gun loops.[1] The castle was held by the Clan Munro from the twelfth century or earlier and they had a stronghold there.[1]
The remains of an 11th-century Motte (man-made mound topped by a wooden palisade), believed to be the first fortification at Foulis, still remain in the castle grounds today.
Early history
[edit]
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.[2] 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.[2]
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".[2] This is in allusion to the clan chief's heraldic emblem.[2]
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.[3] According to Fraser's Wardlaw manuscript which was written in the 17th century, because of the Munro's kindness and civility towards Donald Mackay "to this day" a correspondence was linked between the Munros and Mackays.[4]
The castles "tower and fortalice" are also mentioned in a charter from the crown in 1587.[2] 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.[2] Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet was killed at the Battle of Falkirk Muir in 1746 and the castle was sacked and burned by the Jacobites in the same year.[1]
Sir Robert Munro's son the next successive chief, Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet 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. 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 classical mansion between 1754 and 1792 as it appears today.[1] Foulis Castle still remains the home of the Chief of Munro, Hector W Munro of Foulis. However the most recent baronets of Foulis-Obsdale have lived in Southern England.[1]
Restoration
[edit]
No records survive of what the fortifications at Castle Foulis looked like before 1746. Some evidence was discovered in the 1746 restoration. It is thought that the castle was surrounded by a series of smaller dwellings, of possibly a fortified nature. They found in 1957–59 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.
The Tower was a fortification, as its walls at the ground level are five feet six inches thick. In May 1985, while repairs were being carried out in part to the Courtyard building, 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 the wall. Above them is a barrel-vaulted stone ceiling.[2]
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.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Coventry, Martin (2008). Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans. Musselburgh: Goblinshead. p. 441. ISBN 978-1-899874-36-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g Munro, R.W (1987). Mapping the Clan Munro. Edinburgh: Clan Munro (Association), printed by Lindsay & Co.
- ^ Mackenzie, Alexander (1898). History of the Munros of Fowlis With Genealogies of The Principal Families of The Name: To Which Are Added Those of Lexington and New England. Inverness: A. & W. Mackenzie. pp. 40-43. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Fraser, James (1905) [Edited from original manuscript (c.1674) with notes and introduction, by William Mackay]. Chronicles of the Frasers: the Wardlaw manuscript entitled 'Polichronicon seu policratica temporum, or, The true genealogy of the Frasers', 916–1674. Inverness: Printed at the University Press by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society. pp. 132–133. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
External links
[edit]- "Foulis Castle Seat of the Clan Munro". clanmunro.org.uk.
- "Scottish Castles Photo Library, Foulis Castle, Ross and Cromarty". rampantscotland.com.
- "Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland - Foulis Castle". electricscotland.com.
Foulis Castle
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Location and Overview
Site and Geographical Setting
Foulis Castle is situated in the parish of Kiltearn, near the village of Evanton in Ross and Cromarty (now part of the Highland council area), Scotland, with the postal address Evanton, Ross-shire IV16 9UX.[2][3] It lies approximately two miles southwest of Evanton and 18 miles north of Inverness, accessible via the A9 trunk road northbound from Inverness, exiting onto the B817 toward Evanton and then following local roads.[2][3] The site occupies an elevated position in the Scottish Highlands' Easter Ross region, characteristic of undulating terrain with historical agricultural lands and coastal proximity.[4] The castle stands about 200 feet above the level of the Cromarty Firth, an arm of the Moray Firth, positioned roughly ¾ mile northwest of the firth's shoreline, providing panoramic views over the estuary.[4] This vantage overlooks tidal waters used historically for maritime activities, with the firth's mudflats and surrounding low-lying coastal plains contrasting the castle's raised ground.[4] Nearby, the Highland Main Line railway passes close to the shore at Foulis station, underscoring the site's integration into broader transport corridors.[4] The immediate site encompasses manicured grounds with extensive gardens, a circular driveway, and remnants of earlier fortifications, including an 11th-century motte—a flat-topped earthen mound approximately 10 meters high, indicative of Norman-era defensive earthworks adapted to the local glacial till and peaty soils.[3][5] Surrounding the castle are wooded policies and open parkland typical of Highland estates, with paths traversing uneven terrain featuring loose gravel and stone outcrops, set against a backdrop of rolling hills leading toward Dingwall, about 4 miles northeast.[2][4] This setting reflects the strategic placement of Munro clan holdings, balancing defensibility with oversight of fertile firthside lands suited to mixed farming and fisheries.[4]General Description and Layout
Foulis Castle is a white-washed Georgian mansion constructed primarily in the mid-18th century, incorporating remnants of a 16th-century defensive keep within its structure.[2][3] The building dates to 1754, with later additions in 1777 and 1792, forming an E-plan layout that reflects classical Scottish architecture of the period.[1] Its exterior features a symmetrical front elevation with a double entrance stair leading to a pedimented centerpiece bearing a heraldic panel dated 1777, flanked by elegant full-height angled bays on the short end elevations in the style associated with the Adam brothers.[2] The castle's layout centers on a courtyard entrance pierced by three arches, supported by a semi-octagonal tower dated 1754, which evokes earlier forms of Scottish baronial architecture amid the overall Georgian design.[2][3] Surrounding domestic ranges include 18th-century outbuildings such as coach houses, a laundry, bakehouse, stables, and a well, arranged to enclose the courtyard and support estate functions.[2] The incorporation of the older keep's vestiges, exposed during later renovations, is evident in the northeastern and southeastern ranges, blending defensive origins with the mansion's residential adaptation.[2][1]Historical Background
Origins and Early Munro Association
The site of Foulis Castle, named from the Gaelic Fo-glais denoting a streamlet, originated as a fortified position featuring an 11th-century motte—a manmade mound topped with a wooden palisade for defense—predating the Munro clan's documented presence.[2] This early earthwork suggests the location's strategic value near the Cromarty Firth in Ross-shire, Scotland, for controlling local waterways and lands, though no contemporary records confirm its initial builders or occupants.[2] The Munro clan's association with Foulis traces to traditional accounts placing their holding of the estate from the early 12th century, under a feudal tenure requiring the provision of a midsummer snowball to the overlord if demanded—a nominal obligation reflecting the lands' perceived inaccessibility or symbolic fealty.[4] Clan tradition further attributes the construction of the original stone tower, with ground-level walls measuring 5 feet 6 inches thick for fortification, to Donald Munro, who succeeded as chief around 1164 following a land grant purportedly from King Malcolm II for aiding against Scandinavian invaders.[6] However, empirical records of Munro ownership emerge later, with the castle and estate acquired outright by a Munro chief in the early 14th century, aligning with the clan's consolidation of power in the region after earlier settlements in Ferindonald.[2] This early phase solidified Foulis as the principal seat for successive Munro chiefs, who styled themselves Barons of Foulis, leveraging the stronghold amid feudal rivalries in the Highlands; the first authentic designation as Baron of Foulis appears with Hugh Munro, grandson of the traditional Donald, by the late 12th or early 13th century in clan genealogies, though surviving charters confirm Munro tenure by the 14th century.[2] The association underscores the clan's Norman-influenced origins—possibly from "Munro" deriving from "mouth of the Roe" in Ireland—transitioning to Highland lairdship, with Foulis serving as a base for military service to the Earls of Ross and later the Crown.[6]Medieval Fortifications and Clan Conflicts
The original tower of Foulis Castle, constructed as a medieval stronghold by Donald Munro, who succeeded his father around 1164 and died in 1192, featured massive foundations with walls measuring 5 feet 6 inches thick at ground level, designed for defensive purposes amid the turbulent clan landscape of northern Scotland.[7][8] This tower house, likely incorporating outbuildings within an enclosure, served as the seat of the Munro chiefs from at least the early 12th century, following grants of the Barony of Foulis lands under Malcolm II for service against Viking incursions.[8][9] Surviving elements, such as inverted keyhole gun-loops dated circa 1500 in a stone-vaulted basement, indicate later enhancements to the fortifications, providing a 360-degree field of fire from what may have been a corner tower in the perimeter wall.[10] Clan Munro, centered at Foulis, engaged in several medieval conflicts that underscored the strategic role of their fortified seat in protecting Ross-shire territories and supporting royal or regional allies. In 1282, Munros allied with Dingwalls to defeat clans Iverach, Tallach, and Law at Bealach nam Broig, rescuing the son of the Earl of Ross, though the battle claimed 11 heirs of Foulis among heavy casualties.[8] Robert Munro, 6th Baron of Foulis, fought at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 on behalf of Robert the Bruce, contributing to the Scottish victory over English forces.[8][9] George Munro of Foulis fell at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333 during the Wars of Scottish Independence, while in 1341, John Munro, tutor of Foulis, killed the chief of Clan Mackintosh in a skirmish at Clach na h-Iolaire but lost a hand in the encounter.[8][9] Further hostilities included the Battle of Harlaw in 1411, where chief Hugh Munro led clansmen against Lowland forces allied with the Lord of the Isles, and a 1452 clash at Bealach nam Broig against Mackenzies, where Munros and allies rescued a Ross hostage but chief George Munro was slain, highlighting enduring rivalries over regional control that Foulis Castle helped to anchor.[9] These engagements, often involving defense of the Earl of Ross's interests, reflect the Munros' position as a loyal but combative house in medieval Highland feuds, with no recorded direct sieges on Foulis itself during this era but its tower emblematic of preparedness for such threats.[8][9]Post-Medieval Decline and Alterations
In January 1746, during the Jacobite Rising, Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet of Foulis and chief of Clan Munro, was killed alongside his brother George at the Battle of Falkirk Muir while fighting for the government forces.[2] [3] Shortly thereafter, Jacobite forces, including Mackenzies, sacked and burned Foulis Castle in reprisal for the clan's Hanoverian loyalty, leaving the structure severely damaged and partially ruined.[2] [3] Sir Harry Munro, the 7th Baronet and heir, returned from military service to find the family seat destroyed, marking a significant point of decline for the medieval fortress amid the broader collapse of Highland clan military traditions following the Battle of Culloden later that year.[2] [11] Reconstruction began under Sir Harry's direction in the mid-18th century, incorporating surviving elements of the 16th-century keep while transforming the site from a defensive tower house to a more domestic mansion.[3] By 1754, a courtyard featuring three arches and a semi-octagonal tower had been completed, echoing earlier Scottish baronial forms but adapted for peacetime use.[2] [3] Further alterations in 1777 added a Georgian front facade with a double entrance stair and a heraldic panel, influenced by the neoclassical style associated with architects like the Adam brothers, completing the shift to a classical country house by around 1792.[2] [3] These modifications preserved some original fabric but prioritized comfort and symmetry over fortification, reflecting the Munros' adaptation to post-Union Scotland's changing social and political landscape.[11] Subsequent internal changes by later generations exposed earlier architectural layers during renovations, though the exterior remained largely unaltered thereafter.[2]Restoration and Modernization
18th and 19th Century Rebuilding
Foulis Castle was severely damaged by fire during the Jacobite Rising of 1745–1746, when Jacobite forces targeted it due to the Munro clan's support for the Hanoverian government; the 6th Baronet, Colonel Robert Munro, had perished at the Battle of Falkirk Muir in January 1746.[12][2] Upon his return, Sir Harry Munro, 7th Baronet (1720–1781), initiated a comprehensive rebuilding effort, salvaging remnants of the pre-existing structure, including elements of a 16th-century keep, to preserve the site's historical continuity as the Munro chiefs' seat.[13][2] The reconstruction transformed the fortress into a large classical mansion reflective of Georgian architectural principles, with reduced emphasis on defensive features following the pacification of the Highlands after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.[12] Key additions included a courtyard flanked by three arches, a semi-octagonal tower dated 1754, and a range of outbuildings such as coach houses, a laundry, bakehouse, stables, and well, incorporating continental influences alongside Scottish baronial echoes.[2] A later Georgian frontispiece featured a double entrance stair, a repurposed first-floor window as a doorway, and a heraldic panel dated 1777, styled after the neoclassical designs of the Adam brothers.[2] Rebuilding efforts extended under Sir Harry's son, Sir Hugh Munro, who continued enhancements to the structure.[14] In the 19th century, external modifications remained minimal, preserving the 18th-century form, while successive generations undertook internal alterations that revealed and integrated earlier architectural layers, enhancing the building's layered historical character without substantial overhauls.[2] The castle has remained the residence of the Munro of Foulis family throughout this period.[2]20th and 21st Century Preservation Efforts
In the mid-20th century, Foulis Castle underwent significant repairs following years of neglect exacerbated by the two world wars and inadequate prior management. In 1958, the castle received a grant from the Historic Buildings Council for Scotland to repair its roof, marking the first such grant awarded in Ross-shire; this effort was supervised by Captain Patrick Munro and his wife, Eleanor "Timmy" Munro.[15] Subsequent to the roof repairs, three additional phases of modernization work were undertaken, funded through the sale of Ardullie Lodge after the death of Patrick's mother, enabling the family to occupy the castle from 1978 onward.[15] These interventions preserved the structure's integrity while adapting it for continued residential use by the Munro family, who have maintained ownership since the castle's acquisition by the clan in the 14th century. Eleanor Munro contributed to the site's upkeep by establishing a flower garden in the courtyard, enhancing its aesthetic and functional appeal amid the modernization efforts.[15] Into the 21st century, preservation has emphasized sustainable maintenance and public engagement under ongoing family stewardship, with the castle remaining externally unaltered since its 18th-century form while internal adjustments expose earlier architectural features.[2] Guided tours are offered by appointment, including accessibility adaptations such as a ground-floor lift, supporting both clan heritage promotion and revenue for upkeep; group visits accommodate up to 50 people, though terrain challenges limit full access.[2] Clan gatherings, such as the 2014 event in the grounds, underscore communal involvement in sustaining the site's cultural role without documented major structural overhauls.[16] Associated initiatives, including donations to clan heritage preservation by international Munro associations, indirectly bolster the castle's maintenance.[17]Ownership and Clan Heritage
Succession of Munro Chiefs
The chiefship of Clan Munro has been associated with the estate of Foulis, where Foulis Castle has served as the family seat since at least the 13th century, with succession generally adhering to male primogeniture among the Munros of Foulis, though collateral branches or female lines intervened when direct heirs failed.[18] Early records trace the lineage through royal charters confirming land holdings, such as that granted to Hugh Munro by King David II in 1364, establishing the chiefs' territorial authority in Ross-shire.[18] The title evolved from Baron of Foulis to include a baronetcy created by King Charles I in 1634 for Hector Munro, the 19th Baron, reflecting the family's military and political prominence.[18] Subsequent successions involved notable military service, estate management, and occasional disruptions like fires at Foulis Castle, which the 7th Baronet, Sir Harry Munro, rebuilt in the 18th century following a destructive blaze.[18] The direct male line ended multiple times, leading to inheritance by cousins or, in the 20th century, through the female line: after the 11th Baronet, Colonel Sir Hector Munro, died in 1935 without sons, his eldest daughter Eva Marion succeeded, and her son, Captain Patrick Munro, assumed the chiefship upon her death in 1976 by adopting his maternal grandfather's surname.[18] Patrick Munro held the position until his death in 1995, after which his son, Hector William Munro (born 1950), became the current chief, with his eldest son Finnian Munro designated as The Younger of Foulis.[18][19] The following table outlines the documented succession of Munro chiefs from the 14th century onward, based on clan historical records; ten preceding chiefs are noted in tradition but lack authentication.[18]| Chief | Death Year | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hugh Munro | 1369 | Lands confirmed by David II in 1364. |
| Robert Munro | 1425 | Joined Lord of the Isles against Duke of Albany in 1411. |
| Hugh Munro | 1452 | Lands confirmed by James I in 1426; killed at Bealach-nam-Brog. |
| George Munro | 1490 | Served during minority under uncle John Munro. |
| John Munro | 1505 | Killed in raid assisting Chief of the Mackays. |
| William Munro | 1541 | Lands extensively confirmed by James V at Stirling. |
| Hector Munro | 1547 | Killed at Battle of Pinkie; supporter against Duke of Somerset. |
| Robert-Mor Munro | 1588 | First Protestant chief; expanded Foulis estate; loyal to Mary Queen of Scots. |
| Robert Munro | 1589 | Died shortly after father. |
| Hector Munro | 1603 | Brother of Robert Munro (1589). |
| Robert Munro | 1633 | "The Black Baron"; served in Thirty Years' War; died at Ulm. |
| Sir Hector Munro | 1635 | 1st Baronet, created by Charles I; died in Hamburg. |
| Sir Hector Munro | 1651 | 2nd Baronet; died aged 17, ending direct male line. |
| Sir Robert Munro | 1668 | 3rd Baronet; son of Colonel John Munro of Obsdale. |
| Sir John Munro | 1696 | 4th Baronet; promoter of Presbyterianism. |
| Sir Robert Munro | 1729 | 5th Baronet; known as "the blind Baron." |
| Colonel Sir Robert Munro | 1746 | 6th Baronet; Black Watch officer; killed at Falkirk. |
| Sir Harry Munro | 1781 | 7th Baronet; rebuilt Foulis Castle after fire; MP for Ross-shire (1746–47). |
| Sir Hugh Munro | 1848 | 8th Baronet; end of direct line. |
| Sir Charles Munro | 1886 | 9th Baronet; cousin succession. |
| Sir Charles Munro | 1888 | 10th Baronet; Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for Ross-shire. |
| Colonel Sir Hector Munro | 1935 | 11th Baronet; Seaforth Highlanders; ADC to Edward VII and George V; end of male line. |
| Eva Marion (Munro) Gascoigne | 1976 | Eldest daughter of 11th Baronet; married Colonel C.H. Gascoigne. |
| Captain Patrick Munro | 1995 | Son of Eva Marion; adopted maternal grandfather's name to succeed. |
| Hector W. Munro | Living | Current chief; succeeded father in 1995. |
| Finnian Munro | Living | The Younger of Foulis; eldest son of current chief. |