 he Picts are long gone, but a number of their most important artifacts
- their carved stones - remain as fascinating relics of some 12 centuries or more ago. Many
of the best examples have been found in Easter Ross and the Black Isle, so it is fitting
that Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie High Street is the home of an award-winning museum
dedicated to the Picts.
The magnificent Rosemarkie cross-slab is the centrepiece of the exhibition, and the
independent community museum's pride and joy.
All the stones displayed at Groam House were found in Rosemarkie, many when graves were
being dug in the village churchyard.
The most recent addition was found last year, in a large rockery in a village garden.
Pictland extended from the Northern Isles to the middle of Scotland some 1,500 years
ago. The Picts were farming folk who adopted Christianity in the sixth century.
Their skilled craftsmen made stone monuments, metalwork, jewelry and weapons - and the
remaining Pictish Christian stones are among the finest eighth century sculpture in
western Europe.
The Picts' early work was mainly standing stones with animals and symbols carved on
their surfices. Later designs were raised and decorated in a more sophisticated way. With
the corning of Christianity, large crosses and biblical scenes were added.
Groam House Museum opened in 1980 and was
refurbished in 1989. A mezzanine gallery for extra exhibition space was added in 1993. The
walls of the museum feature coloured hangings and photographs of other stones in the area.
For those who enjoy a hands on approach to history, there is a replica Pictish harp
which visitors can try playing - and a collection of Pictish symbols to test your rubbing
skills.
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The museum also houses a
comprehensive collection of photos showing Scotland's Pictish stones, and a local archive
which enables visitors to compare the Black Isle villages of days gone by with the way
they are now. Three videos shown at the museum tell the stories of the Picts and famous
Highland prophet the Brahan Seer.
Pier at Fortrose 1813
Groam House Museum also holds the George Bain
Collection of Celtic Art for the Scottish Nation, and examples from the original and
unique collection are on display. Erected on the shore near Chanonry Lighthouse is the
Brahan Seer Plaque, commemorating the 17th century burning in a barrel of tar at the stake
of Kenneth MacKenzie - better known as the Brahan Seer.
During his life he made many prophecies about the Highlands, many of which
appear to have come to fruition ...
Legend has it that Fairy Glen at Rosemarkie is the home of a black witch.
What cannot be disputed is that the scenic area features a number of
waterfalls and rapids, beneath cliffs of red boulder clay and steep banks covered with
wild cherry trees. Fortrose Cathedral is now a ruin, but visitors can see the remains of the red sandstone building with vaulted roof and
octagonal clock tower dating from the 14th century. It was the burial place of Euphemia,
countess of Ross, and of the MacKenzies of Seaforth.
Coming right up to date, golfers visiting the Black Isle will want to
accept the challenges offered by Fortrose and Rosemarkie golf course.
The testing 18-hole links course was first laid out more than a century
ago, and was re-designed in the 1 930s to its present layout by the famous golfer and
course architect James Braid.
Former Ryder Cup star Ronan Rafferty is among those who have played the
course and sung its praises, saying that he enjoyed playing there so much that he plans to
repeat the experience.
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