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Fortrose Cathedral's red sandstone arches and clock tower in its green square under a blue sky.
The Black Isle

Fortrose Cathedral

The red sandstone ruin of the cathedral of the bishops of Ross, standing in a leafy square in the middle of Fortrose, with fine vaulting and window tracery.

Welcome

In the middle of Fortrose, in a quiet green square shaded by old trees, stand the red sandstone remains of the cathedral of the bishops of Ross.

The diocese is said to go back to around 700, and its cathedral first stood at Rosemarkie, a mile along the coast, before moving here around 1235.

Only a small part of the great church survives: arcades and chapels, with a clock tower beside them. But what remains is beautiful. Tall pointed arches open onto the square, the stone vaulting is outstanding, and fragments of window tracery hint at how fine the whole building must once have been. The oldest part, the undercroft of the chapter house, dates from the 1200s.

It costs nothing to wander in, and the square is a lovely place to sit. Chanonry Point, with its lighthouse and dolphins, is a short walk or drive away.

Round the cornerHarbour Lane, FortroseAn illustrator’s shop on Fortrose High Street, known for hand-drawn lampshades of Scottish places.1 min by roadSee itHarbour Lane, Fortrose
Before you go

The cathedral stands in an open square and can be seen at any time, free.

Where
Cathedral Square, Fortrose, IV10 8TB.
Oldest part
The 1300s.
Entry
Free.
Where it is

In Cathedral Square in the middle of Fortrose, on the Black Isle, IV10 8TB.

Close byThe Black Isle.
  1. The whisky bar at The Anderson in Fortrose, a barman pulling a pint before floor-to-ceiling shelves of bottles.The AndersonUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. Teal banquettes and wooden tables at IV10 under glass pendant lamps and a model sailing ship.IV10 Café Bar DeliUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. RosemarkieRosemarkieWhere the first cathedral stood.1 mile3 min by road
  4. Groam House MuseumGroam House MuseumPictish stones in Rosemarkie.1 mile3 min by road
  5. Chanonry PointChanonry PointDolphins off the point, a mile away.2 miles6 min by road
Directions
ShoppingHarbour Lane, FortroseA step away
Glass bakery display with tarts, brownies and pastries on labelled shelvesCafeBakhoos Bakery0.2 miles
Grassy harbour wall overlooking small boats and white houses along the shoreAttractionsFortrose Harbour0.4 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, Rosemarkie1.0 miles
Waterfall cascading over mossy rocks into a woodland pool in autumnAttractionsFairy Glen, Rosemarkie1.1 miles
The Highland Mobile Sauna, a wooden barrel sauna on a trailer with its chimney, on the grass above Rosemarkie beach.ActivityHighland Mobile Sauna1.2 miles
The Rosemarkie Beach Cafe, a small blue timber cafe with its name over the door and tables outside.CafeRosemarkie Beach Café1.2 miles
Walkers and a dog stroll along a wide sandy beach under clear skiesWalksBeach at Rosemarkie1.2 miles
White lighthouse with black lantern room overlooking the Moray FirthAttractionsChanonry Lighthouse1.7 miles
Stay nearby

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

Living room with red sofa, patterned ottoman and staircase behindNewhall Mains
  • To stay
  • In Balblair
  • 6 miles from Fortrose Cathedral
Check datesA curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.Boath Cabin
  • Sleeps 4
  • In The Black Isle
  • 12 miles from Fortrose Cathedral
Free 16–18 OctA 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 The Black Isle
  • 14 miles from Fortrose Cathedral
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 The Black Isle
  • 14 miles from Fortrose Cathedral
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in The Black IsleAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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