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Village, once Victorian health resort with sulphur springs, now famous for doll museum housed in remains of baths complex. Dolls, teddy bears, games and toys spanning 150 years on display, as well as other features of Victorian nursery such as baby clothes, lace and cradles. There is also the Eagle Stone and early 'Class 1' type stone, with the symbols cut into a rough boulder (7th-8th.c.) It stands on a small, possibly man-made, mound. A horse-shoe and a bird are cut on one side. The curative properties of the sulphurated waters here were first noted in 1772, when Dr Donald Munro gave a paper on the 'Castle Leod Water' to the Royal Society. Their popularity took off with the arrival of the railway in 1885. Many buildings associated with the heyday of the spa can still be seen, including the Spa Pavilion, pump room and gardens, which are in the process of renovation. The waters can be tasted in the village square. Above
Strathpeffer is Knockfarrel Hillfort. This had substantial ramparts
made of stones with a timber frame, enclosing a large area and
making good use of the natural defences of the hill-top.. At some
time, the timber of the walls was set on fire, creating enough
heat to melt the rock. This vitrification can be seen all around
the perimeter of the fort. If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me: |
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