Bluebells in Strathglass

The River Glass near Eskadale

A January Dawn in Strathglass

The Abhainn Deabhag near Tomich

Erchless Castle

Winter Grazing in Strathglass

River Cannich in winter

Autumn by the River Glass

Strathglass is situated at the heart of some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. Stretching from Glen Affric towards Beauly, it is only a short distance from Inverness the capital of the Scottish Highlands.

For centuries the economy of the area was reliant on the traditional industries such as farming, agriculture and forestry. The defeat of the Jacobite cause at Culloden in 1746 heralded the beginning of the end for the Clan system that had sustained the old way of life across the Highlands. Retribution for supporting Bonnie Prince Charlie was swift. Raiding parties were sent into the straths and the glens seeking out those who had supported the Prince. Strathglass saw regular bloody incursions by Cumberland's troops.

In the latter half of the 18th century the infamous Highland Clearances began where people were cleared from the land, often by their own kinfolk, to provide grazing for sheep. The population of Strathglass and the surrounding glens was decimated as many were forced to leave their homeland forever and start a new life in the new world.

By Victorian times, large scale sheep farming had gone out of favour and sporting estates were created placing an emphasis on deer stalking and fishing. Much of the land in the area is still owned by the estates and the Strathglass area is renowned for the quality of its shooting and trout & salmon fishing.

During the second half of the 20th century the introduction of hydro-electric power saw the construction of dams, power stations and tunnel networks in the surrounding glens and along the strath itself. Travelling from Beauly, the dams at Kilmorack and Aigas give a hint of the impact the schemes have made on the landscape. In recent years, tourism has become more and more important to the local economy as the traditional industries have steadily declined.

Bog Cotton

Beinn a Chairein

The main centre of population in Strathglass is now Cannich (Place of the Bog Cotton). Cannich, nestling below the slopes of Beinn a Chairein, is at the junction of three glens: Glen Cannich, Glen Affric and Glenurquhart. The village as we know it today owes its existence to the Hydro schemes dating from the late 1940s. An influx of workers saw the population swell to over 2000 at its peak. The village was the site of the main camp that housed the construction workers. Even after more than 50 years there are still remants of the camp in use today. The village hall was constructed as a cinema for the workers - estimated lifespan 10 years! Close to the campsite, the large prefabricated steel shed once hosted the deisel generators that provided power to the camp and parts of Strathglass while the construction work was ongoing.

On the outskirts of the village towards the generating station at Fanakyle is Comar Lodge, a former seat of Clan Chisholm. Following Culloden, Bonnie Prince Charlie is known to have sheltered in woods at Fasnakyle but there are suggestions that he may have been hidden for a short time in a secret room at Comar Lodge. Across the River Glass near Kerrow is the old graveyard of Clachan Comar. The burial ground dates back several centuries and as many of the inscriptions are still legible is a popular place with those tracing their family history. The recording of headstones here and at other cemeteries in the area has been an ongoing activity for Kilmorack Heritage Association.

Towards the top of Strathglass, en route to Plodda Falls, is the conservation village of Tomich. In 1854 Guisachan Estate was purchased by Edward Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, later Lord Tweedmouth. Soon after building Guisachan House, his lordship decided that it was rather too close to the crofts occupied by his estate tenants. With this in mind the 'model' village of Tomich was built and his tenants rehoused there, whether they wished this or not - their old crofts being demolished. However it has to be added that to help ease the traumatic transition, Tweedmouth also built a school, a laundry and a brewery!

Guisachan also has a claim to fame as the place where the Golden Retriever breed originates from. Sadly, Guisachan House is now a ruin. The end came in 1939 when the house was purchased by the owner of nearby Hilton Lodge, Lady Islington, who was less than enamoured that Guisachan House was being used as a training centre by the National Fitness Campaign whose activities included swimming in Hilton Loch. Anything that could be moved was sold off and the roof removed. Exposure to the elements for some 80 years has resulted in a once magnificent house being reduced to a derelict shell - aristocratic vandalism or not?

In the lower half of Strathglass, the main settlement is around the village of Struy at the entrance to Glen Strathfarrar. A short distance away is Erchless Castle, last seat of the Clan Chisholm. Nearby the Clan Chisholm burial ground holds the remains of many Clan chiefs.

The old bridge at Struy

Highland Ponies at Erchless

Ruin of Guisachan House

For more information about the Highland Clearances you might like to visit www.theclearances.org