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The view from Ormond Hill over Avoch Bay, golden fields and the shore of the Black Isle under a blue sky.
Inverness

Avoch Castle

Ormond Hill above Avoch, the site of the medieval castle of Andrew de Moray, who raised the north for Scotland in 1297, with a cairn and a wide view of the firth.

Welcome

Above the fishing village of Avoch on the Black Isle rises a rounded green hill, Ormond Hill, which the locals also call Ladyhill.

On its top once stood Ormond Castle, one of the royal castles of the north, built around the end of the 12th century of rough red sandstone.

Its most famous lord was Andrew de Moray. In 1297, while William Wallace was fighting in the south, Moray raised the north against the English from here, and the two men led the Scottish army together to victory at Stirling Bridge, where Moray was mortally wounded. A cairn and a Saltire on the summit remember him.

Of the castle itself only foundations remain, and local archaeologists are still working to learn more. But the climb is short, and the view from the top, over Avoch Bay, the firth and the Black Isle's fields, is lovely on a clear day.

A short drive awayFortrose HarbourA small sandstone harbour built by Thomas Telford in 1817, now full of the dinghies and yachts of the Chanonry Sailing Club.7 min by roadSee itGrassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shore
Before you go

The hill is open at all times and free.

Only the castle's foundations remain; the reward is the view.

Where
Ormond Hill above Avoch, IV9 8RP.
Once
The castle of Andrew de Moray.
Remains
Foundations only.
Where it is

On Ormond Hill, also called Ladyhill, just south of Avoch on the Black Isle.

Close byThe Black Isle.
  1. A bottlenose dolphin surfacing in the grey water of the Moray Firth beside a Dolphin Trips Avoch boat.Dolphin Trips AvochUnder a mile4 min by road
  2. Fortrose Cathedral's red sandstone arches and clock tower in its green square under a blue sky.Fortrose CathedralThe red sandstone cathedral in Fortrose.3 miles7 min by road
  3. Teal banquettes and wooden tables at IV10 under glass pendant lamps and a model sailing ship.IV10 Café Bar Deli3 miles7 min by road
  4. RosemarkieRosemarkieThe Pictish village along the coast.4 miles10 min by road
  5. Chanonry PointChanonry PointDolphins off the point, a few miles east.4 miles13 min by road
Directions
Grassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shoreAttractionsFortrose Harbour2.4 miles
ShoppingHarbour Lane, Fortrose2.6 miles
The whisky bar at The Anderson in Fortrose, a barman pulling a pint before floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles.BarsThe Anderson2.6 miles
Glass bakery display with tarts, brownies and pastries on labelled shelvesCafeBakhoos Bakery2.8 miles
White-washed Cromar House on a corner, slate roof and pale blue window framesAttractionsGroam House Museum3.5 miles
A stone building strung with fairy lights and greenery houses Crofters, its anchor sign beside a picnic table in Ross and Cromarty.RestaurantsCrofters Café, Rosemarkie3.6 miles
Waterfall cascading over mossy rocks into a woodland pool in autumnAttractionsFairy Glen, Rosemarkie3.7 miles
The Highland Mobile Sauna, a wooden barrel sauna on a trailer with its chimney, on the grass above Rosemarkie beach.ActivityHighland Mobile Sauna3.7 miles
The Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, a small blue timber cafe with its name over the door and tables outside.CafeRosemarkie Beach Café3.7 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the hill, and when each is next free.

Living room with red sofa, patterned ottoman and staircase behindNewhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 7 miles from Ormond Hill
Check datesA white harled cottage with a slated roof and gabled porch sits behind a garden of wildflowers, a table and chairs on the patio.Garden Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Inverness
  • 12 miles from Ormond Hill
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and dormer windows sits behind a gravel drive, ivy covering one gable end.Ivy Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Inverness
  • 12 miles from Ormond Hill
Check datesA stone steading with green shutters and a slated roof sits beside a gravel drive, mature trees framing the entrance.South Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Inverness
  • 12 miles from Ormond Hill
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in InvernessAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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