DOCSLIB.ORG

Castletown August 2007 Masterplan Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Castletown August 2007 Masterplan Report Castletown August 2007 Masterplan Report 080108 Castletown EbD Report Table of Contents Preface ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 3 Section 1 Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Background ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 4 Enquiry by Design Methodology and Process ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 The Village as an Ecosystem ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 Vision Statement ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10 Sub-regional Context ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������12 Local Context ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������14 Section 2 Masterplan Evaluation �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18 Final Masterplan �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20 Detail - Harbour Options Masterplan ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22 Detail - The Mill Masterplan ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24 Detail - The Church Masterplan �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������25 Detail -Main Street and Traill Street Improvements plan Masterplan �������������������������������������������26 Heritage & Regeneration ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������28 Landuse ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������30 Landscape & Ecology ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������32 Street Hierarchy ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������38 Section 3 Masterplan Strategies ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 40 Section 4 Next Steps ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 42 1 THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 2 Castletown EbD Report Preface The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment has been invited as part of the North Highland Initiative to facilitate a forward planning process known as Enquiry by Design for the area of Castletown and Castlehill in Caithness, the north eastern part of Scotland� With the support of the Highland Council and the Castletown Community Council, The Prince’s Foundation first held a Scoping Day at the beginning of July 2007 which provided the opportunity to identify stakeholders and key issues relating to Castletown� A three day Enquiry by Design workshop followed between the 30th July-1st August 2007 which helped to formalise a vision for the Castletown and Castlehill area resulting in a masterplan and a heritage and regeneration action plan� The report presents the findings of the Enquiry by Design workshop� The aerial photograph of Castletown - Courtesy of Alan Moar 3 THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Section 1 Introduction Background As a part of the North Highland Initiative, established by HRH the Prince of Wales, the Prince’s objective the compilation of an inventory of buildings to create places where people can live, Foundation for the Built Environment has been working in partnership with the Prince’s Regeneration properties, particularly farm buildings, and, with work and enjoy themselves� Trust in order to facilitate an Enquiry by Design workshop for the area of Castletown and Castlehill targeted assistance, to identify those suitable The buildings that are adopted have to continue in North East Scotland� for restoration and re-use as economic units� to work for a living and inspire others to follow our example� The Prince’s Foundation In the first instance the Initiative will market beef, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust The Prince’s Foundation for the Built lamb and mutton from the North Highlands but The Prince’s Regeneration Trust (PRT) undertakes Wherever they can, PRT works with the Environment (TPF) - an educational charity will be widened to include other foods, as well activities in pursuit of the preservation, Prince’s family of patronage and charities established by HRH, The Prince of Wales, exists as helping to promote tourism and the area’s regeneration and re-use of buildings of to deliver links between the historic to improve the quality of people’s lives by historic buildings� architectural or heritage value at risk� environment, education, craftsmanship, teaching and practising timeless and ecological creativity, community and commerce� ways of planning, designing and building� It has 3 main objectives: It achieves its mission through acting as • To improve distribution and access to UK an adviser and enabler; a facilitator; a The Foundation has been involved in over 60 markets (and beyond) for food and other consultant; a partner; or a principal and masterplanning, urban design, architectural, produce aims to focus on areas of social or economic regeneration and heritage projects, • To encourage sensitive and sustainable need and provides for an inclusive approach, contributing to the enhancement of their design tourism involving communities in close collaboration and build quality as well as greater community • To breathe new life into the rich and diverse with owners and local authorities� They seek involvement in the planning process� built heritage, in turn aimed at improving to act in partnership with the public, private tourism prospects. and charitable sectors to deliver sustainable North Highland Initiative regeneration of heritage buildings� In August 2005 HRH Prince Charles launched The third element of the Initiative, which his North Highland Initiative� involves economic regeneration through All PRT projects aim to release the regene-rative 4 restoration of the built environment, has as its energy of derelict and abandoned historic Castletown EbD Report A photograph of the beach at Castlehill; a future key tourist destination of the area 5 THE PRINCE’S FOUNDATION FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Enquiry by Design Methodology and Process ENQUIRY BY DESIGN PARTICIPANTS All Those With An Interest In The Site “The Enquiry by Design process brings together the key stakeholders in a proposed development to collaborate in articulating a vision for a site or place through an intensive workshop, facilitated by a Technical Input / Statutory Agencies multi-disciplinary design team�” Core Team The Process Architects The process is not just a means of informing The Enquiry by Design is preceded by a Education Authority Environmental Experts Local Housing Association the community about a planned development number of preparatory sessions, to begin English Heritage Landowners Local Transport Operators Local Authority Local Business Groups Residents Groups but actively engages them in the planning and to explore key issues and to familiarise key Local Community Representatives Local Conservation Groups design of their community, helping to build up stakeholders with the process ahead of the Spatial Planners Utility Companies the confidence and collective enthusiasm to main workshop� Local Health Providers Sustainability Experts Other Government Agencies allow the vision to be taken forward after the Transport Engineers workshop has been completed� In general, the Enquiry by Design workshop Urban Designers structure will include: Diagram mapping out key stakeholders in the Enquiry by Design process Because the Enquiry by Design process relies on extremely concise and concentrated Day One effort over a relatively short period of time, • Exploring key issues Day Five The Scoping Day July 2007 assembling the right information is critical� • Technical briefings • Production and final presentation The Prince’s Foundation with The Prince’s The whole exercise normally includes extensive • Site -tour • Resolution of outstanding issues Regeneration Trust started the process by preparation and a lead-in period of five or six • Initial Structure Plan • Production of final plans holding a public open evening and Scoping months to the actual workshop is usual� • Communication to general public Day in Castletown in the beginning of July� The Day Two meetings were well attended by members of the The list of information typically gathered • Testing of initial concept The number of participants in a workshop can community, The Highland
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Puffin Cottage BROUGH, THURSO, CAITHNESS, KW14 8YE 01463 211 116 “
    Puffin Cottage BROUGH, THURSO, CAITHNESS, KW14 8YE 01463 211 116 “... an ideal location for outdoor activities such as Fishing, horse riding, cycling, kayaking and walking ...” ocated on the road to Dunnet Head, the Head, the most northerly point on the UK mainland, Inverness, approximately two and a half hours drive small hamlet of Brough is a very popular making it an ideal location for outdoor activities away via the A9 trunk road, is one of the fastest growing and attractive residential neighbourhood. such as fishing, horse riding, cycling, kayaking and cities in Europe and provides a range of retail parks The property is very well located being walking. The village of Dunnet with its hotel and along with excellent cultural, educational, entertainment only ten minutes drive from John o’Groats, community hall is also close by. and medical facilities. fifteen minutes from Thurso and twenty-five Lminutes from Wick. The Orkney ferry is five minutes Thurso has many facilities including supermarkets and The Scottish Highlands are a magnet for lovers of drive away making it an excellent stop over to and a railway station with regular services to Inverness and the outdoors and the ruggedness of the north-west from Orkney. connections to the rest of the UK. Wick Airport has daily Highlands, often referred to as the last great wilderness flights to Edinburgh and Aberdeen where domestic and in Europe, boasts some of the most beautiful beaches The property is close to the RSPB-owned Dunnet international flights are available. and mountains in Scotland. Dunnet Bay Winter Sunshine, Dunnet Head Lighthouse view to Hoy, Castle of Mey, Dwarwick Pier Storm, Harrow Harbour near Mey and Dunnet Bay towards Dunnet Head cEwan Fraser Legal are delighted to offer plan family room has bay windows as a lovely feature completes the luxurious feel to this lovely home.
    [Show full text]
  • Midnight Train to Georgemas Report Final 08-12-2017
    Midnight Train to Georgemas 08/12/2017 Reference number 105983 MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGEMAS MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGEMAS MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGEMAS IDENTIFICATION TABLE Client/Project owner HITRANS Project Midnight Train to Georgemas Study Midnight Train to Georgemas Type of document Report Date 08/12/2017 File name Midnight Train to Georgemas Report v5 Reference number 105983 Number of pages 57 APPROVAL Version Name Position Date Modifications Claire Mackay Principal Author 03/07/2017 James Consultant Jackson David Project 1 Connolly, Checked Director 24/07/2017 by Alan Director Beswick Approved David Project 24/07/2017 by Connolly Director James Principal Author 21/11/2017 Jackson Consultant Alan Modifications Director Beswick to service Checked 2 21/11/2017 costs and by Project David demand Director Connolly forecasts Approved David Project 21/11/2017 by Connolly Director James Principal Author 08/12/2017 Jackson Consultant Alan Director Beswick Checked Final client 3 08/12/2017 by Project comments David Director Connolly Approved David Project 08/12/2017 by Connolly Director TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 6 2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION 6 2.1 EXISTING COACH AND RAIL SERVICES 6 2.2 CALEDONIAN SLEEPER 7 2.3 CAR -BASED TRAVEL TO /FROM THE CAITHNESS /O RKNEY AREA 8 2.4 EXISTING FERRY SERVICES AND POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THESE 9 2.5 AIR SERVICES TO ORKNEY AND WICK 10 2.6 MOBILE PHONE -BASED ESTIMATES OF CURRENT TRAVEL PATTERNS 11 3. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION 14 4. PROBLEMS/ISSUES 14 4.2 CONSTRAINTS 16 4.3 RISKS : 16 5. OPPORTUNITIES 17 6. SLEEPER OPERATIONS 19 6.1 INTRODUCTION 19 6.2 SERVICE DESCRIPTION & ROUTING OPTIONS 19 6.3 MIXED TRAIN OPERATION 22 6.4 TRACTION & ROLLING STOCK OPTIONS 25 6.5 TIMETABLE PLANNING 32 7.
    [Show full text]
  • Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan Committee Version November, 2015
    Caithness and Sutherland Proposed Local Development Plan Committee Version November, 2015 Proposed CaSPlan The Highland Council Foreword Foreword Foreword to be added after PDI committee meeting The Highland Council Proposed CaSPlan About this Proposed Plan About this Proposed Plan The Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan) is the second of three new area local development plans that, along with the Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HwLDP) and Supplementary Guidance, will form the Highland Council’s Development Plan that guides future development in Highland. The Plan covers the area shown on the Strategy Map on page 3). CaSPlan focuses on where development should and should not occur in the Caithness and Sutherland area over the next 10-20 years. Along the north coast the Pilot Marine Spatial Plan for the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters will also influence what happens in the area. This Proposed Plan is the third stage in the plan preparation process. It has been approved by the Council as its settled view on where and how growth should be delivered in Caithness and Sutherland. However, it is a consultation document which means you can tell us what you think about it. It will be of particular interest to people who live, work or invest in the Caithness and Sutherland area. In preparing this Proposed Plan, the Highland Council have held various consultations. These included the development of a North Highland Onshore Vision to support growth of the marine renewables sector, Charrettes in Wick and Thurso to prepare whole-town visions and a Call for Sites and Ideas, all followed by a Main Issues Report and Additional Sites and Issues consultation.
    [Show full text]
  • Erection of One 500 Kw Wind Turbine at 550 M of Taigh Na Muir, Dunnet By
    THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL Agenda Item 6.2 NORTH PLANNING APPLICATIONS COMMITTEE – Report No PLN/048/13 21 May 2013 12/03638/FUL : R R Mackay ·& Company Limited Land 550M NW of Tigh na Muir, Dunnet Report by Area Planning Manager North SUMMARY Description: Erection of 1 no 500kW wind turbine with a height to blade tip of 79.6m, 55m to hub and a rotor diameter of 48m and ancillary works at Land 550M NW of Tigh na Muir, Dunnet. Recommendation : REFUSE Ward : 04 Landward Caithness Development category : Local Pre-determination Hearing : none Reason referred to commitee ; Local member request 1. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 1.1 Application is made in detail for the erection of 1 no. turbine with a height to blade tip of 79.6 metres, a height to hub of 55 metres and a rotor diameter of 48 metres. The associated infrastructure includes turbine foundations; crane hardstanding; pole mounted transformer and associated cabling and an upgrading and lengthening of an existing 540 metre access track to site from the edge of the exiting private access area to ‘Tigh na Muir’. 1.2 A formal Screening Opinion was issued on 08 September 2011, advising that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required. 1.3 It is proposed that the turbine and construction components will utilise the A836 Castletown to John O’Groats public road and the existing farm access. 1.4 The applicant has provided a number of supporting documents including a Supporting Statement, Site and Viewpoint Map, Photomontages, an Ornithology Appraisal, Technical Appendix, and Surveys. 1.5 Variations: Otter Survey Report Received 23 October 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • Caithness & Sutherland Report
    www.hie.co.uk OUR NEXT GENERATION Young People in Caithness and Sutherland Attitudes and aspirations. Research report September 2015 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 1 APPROACH 1 STUDY CONTEXT 1 THE CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND CONTEXT 1 2 STAYING AND LEAVING 6 SELF-IDENTIFICATION 6 PERCEPTIONS OF STAYERS AND LEAVERS 7 ASPIRATIONS OF SCHOOL LEAVERS 9 FACTORS INFLUENCING DECISIONS AFTER LEAVING SCHOOL 10 3 LEARNING IN CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND 12 FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION PROVISION 12 AWARENESS OF UHI AND ITS OFFER 13 INVERNESS CAMPUS 14 GRADUATE PLACEMENTS 15 4 WORKING IN CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND 17 EMPLOYMENT-RELATED FACTORS IN THE LOCAL AREA 17 EMPLOYMENT-RELATED FACTORS IN THE H&I 18 IDEAL PLACE TO WORK 20 VIEWS ON H&I GROWTH SECTORS 21 DESIRED QUALITIES IN EMPLOYERS 22 5 LIFE ASPIRATIONS IN CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND 24 HOUSING 24 TRANSPORT 25 DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY 27 ARTS, LEISURE AND CULTURE 29 COMMUNITY 30 6 FUTURE ASPIRATIONS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND 32 MAKING CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE IN 32 FUTURE ASPIRATIONS 33 HOW THE H&I HAS CHANGED 34 7 CONCLUSIONS 36 KEY SUMMARY FINDINGS 36 CONCLUDING REMARKS 39 A. ANNEX 1: SURVEY RESPONSE PROFILE 40 NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS 40 AGE 40 GENDER 40 GEOGRAPHY 41 STATUS 41 SUMMARY 41 1 Introduction 1.1 This report presents the findings of a wide-ranging study to explore the attitudes and aspirations of young people aged 15-30 in relation to the Highlands and Islands (H&I) of Scotland, with a particular focus on young people in Caithness and Sutherland.
    [Show full text]
  • Discover the Flow Country
    A vast expanse of blanket bog, sheltered straths, moorland and mountain covers much of Caithness and Sutherland. Known as The Flow Country, or the Flows, it is one of Scotland’s most important natural resources. Blanket bog is a rare type of peatland which forms only in cool places with plenty of rain and covers the landscape like a blanket. Due to the cool, wet and acidic conditions, the plants which grow here, Start your explorations online at especially the Sphagnum bog mosses, don’t fully www.theflowcountry.org.uk rot away when they die. Instead they build up deep layers of peat. The Flow Country’s bogs have been #TheFlowCountry growing for more than 10,000 years and in some areas the peat is up to 10 metres deep. On a global scale, this land of hidden riches is rare. THE MORE YOU SEE THE MORE YOU Scotland holds about 15% of the world’s blanket bog, and a large part of this is in the Flow Country. Flow fact There are more Discover solids in milk than undisturbed peat. THE MORE YOU LOOK THE MORE YOU The Flow Country Discover Routes and walks A836: Lairg to Tongue to Moine A897: Helmsdale to Forsinard A9 Helmsdale to Thurso The Flow Country 1 Forsinain Trail 2 Loch a’Mhuilinn Walk Key sites 3 Strathy Pools Walk 4 Munsary Reserve 1 Caithness Horizons 5 Flows of Leanas 2 Strathnaver Museum 3 Cnoc Craggie 4 Moine House The surface of a blanket bog might look 5 Crask uniform, but it’s actually a rich wildlife 6 Forsinard National Nature Reserve 7 Loch Rangag habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Place-Names of Inverness and Surrounding Area Ainmean-Àite Ann an Sgìre Prìomh Bhaile Na Gàidhealtachd
    Place-Names of Inverness and Surrounding Area Ainmean-àite ann an sgìre prìomh bhaile na Gàidhealtachd Roddy Maclean Place-Names of Inverness and Surrounding Area Ainmean-àite ann an sgìre prìomh bhaile na Gàidhealtachd Roddy Maclean Author: Roddy Maclean Photography: all images ©Roddy Maclean except cover photo ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot; p3 & p4 ©Somhairle MacDonald; p21 ©Calum Maclean. Maps: all maps reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland https://maps.nls.uk/ except back cover and inside back cover © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2021. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. Design and Layout: Big Apple Graphics Ltd. Print: J Thomson Colour Printers Ltd. © Roddy Maclean 2021. All rights reserved Gu Aonghas Seumas Moireasdan, le gràdh is gean The place-names highlighted in this book can be viewed on an interactive online map - https://tinyurl.com/ybp6fjco Many thanks to Audrey and Tom Daines for creating it. This book is free but we encourage you to give a donation to the conservation charity Trees for Life towards the development of Gaelic interpretation at their new Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Please visit the JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/trees-for-life ISBN 978-1-78391-957-4 Published by NatureScot www.nature.scot Tel: 01738 444177 Cover photograph: The mouth of the River Ness – which [email protected] gives the city its name – as seen from the air. Beyond are www.nature.scot Muirtown Basin, Craig Phadrig and the lands of the Aird. Central Inverness from the air, looking towards the Beauly Firth. Above the Ness Islands, looking south down the Great Glen.
    [Show full text]
  • Mapping Farmland Wader Distributions and Population Change to Identify Wader Priority Areas for Conservation and Management Action
    Mapping farmland wader distributions and population change to identify wader priority areas for conservation and management action Scott Newey1*, Debbie Fielding1, and Mark Wilson2 1. The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH 2. The British Trust for Ornithology Scotland, Stirling, FK9 4NF * [email protected] Introduction Many birds have declined across Scotland and the UK as a whole (Balmer et al. 2013, Eaton et al. 2015, Foster et al. 2013, Harris et al. 2017). These include five species of farmland wader; oystercatcher, lapwing, curlew, redshank and snipe. All of these have all been listed as either red or amber species on the UK list of birds of conservation concern (Harris et al. 2017, Eaton et al. 2015). Between 1995 and 2016 both lapwing and curlew declined by more than 40% in the UK (Harris et al. 2017). The UK harbours an estimated 19-27% of the curlew’s global breeding population, and the curlew is arguably the most pressing bird conservation challenge in the UK (Brown et al. 2015). However, the causes of wader declines likely include habitat loss, alteration and homogenisation (associated strongly with agricultural intensification), and predation by generalist predators (Brown et al. 2015, van der Wal & Palmer 2008, Ainsworth et al. 2016). There has been a concerted effort to reverse wader declines through habitat management, wader sensitive farming practices and predator control, all of which are likely to benefit waders at the local scale. However, the extent and severity of wader population declines means that large scale, landscape level, collaborative actions are needed if these trends are to be halted or reversed across much of these species’ current (and former) ranges.
    [Show full text]
  • North Highland Sg Walk
    SCOTLAND – THE NORTHERN HIGHLAND WAY 9-day / 8-night SELF-GUIDED inn-to-inn walk - the far north of Scotland with John O’ Groats & Orkney Scotland’s Northern Highland Way is a moderate walk on the wild side, taking you through some of the most scenic and remote landscapes in the far north of Scotland. This 120km trail begins in Thurso, the northernmost town on the British mainland, and allows you to take in stunning yet extreme backdrops from white sandy beaches to awe inspiring coastal cliffs, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea. This is your opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife including magnificent puffin bird colonies; to walk to the iconic Cape Wrath, named by the Vikings as the Norse for “turning point” and to visit the lighthouse built there in 1828. This is your chance to see the fascinating and historical Orkney Islands, to visit the picturesque harbour at Scrabster and to walk across the golden sand beaches at Torrisdale Bay. Stay in welcoming B&Bs, inns and guesthouses where walkers are well looked after, with a hearty Scottish breakfast each morning perhaps including a traditional porridge, tattie scones, black pudding square and sausage, all local fare. Carry only a daypack as your luggage is transferred for you. Accommodation on the Northern Highland Way is in high demand and is limited especially in the small villages along the way. Early booking is essential especially if you plan to travel in the popular months of May or September. Departs: Daily from April to September Cost from: $1415 per person twin share Single supplement limited and on request Starts: Thurso Ends: Durness.
    [Show full text]
  • Bathing Water Profile for Thurso Bay (Central)
    Bathing Water Profile for Thurso Bay (Central) Thurso, Scotland _____________ Current water classification https://www2.sepa.org.uk/BathingWaters/Classifications.aspx _____________ Description Thurso Bay (Central) bathing water is situated on the north coast of Scotland adjacent to the town of Thurso. The designated bay is less than 1 km long and extends from Rockwell Point in the west to Little Ebb in the east. The beach is popular with bathers and water sport enthusiasts. During high and low tides the approximate distance to the water’s edge can vary from 0–160 metres. The sandy beach slopes gently towards the water. Site details Local authority Highland Council Year of designation 2008 Water sampling location ND 11697 68860 EC bathing water ID UKS7616085 Catchment description The catchment draining into the Thurso bathing water extends to 487 km2. The catchment varies in topography from hills (maximum elevation 440 metres) in the south to the low-lying land (average elevation 5 metres) along the coast. The main river within the bathing water catchment is the River Thurso which discharges to the east of the designated bathing water. Land use in the catchment is mainly split between rural land and bog. The principal rural land uses in the area are improved grassland (14%), shrub (12%) and coniferous woodland (10%). The upper catchment around Halkirk is mainly sheep farming with beef farming around Thurso. Less than one percent of the bathing water catchment is urban. The main population centre is the town of Thurso situated adjacent to the bathing water. Population density outside of Thurso is generally low (Map 2).
    [Show full text]
  • Malcolm Bangor-Jones
    Malcolm Bangor-Jones 'Abounding with people of dyvers languages': The Church and Gaelic in the Presbytery of Caithness in the Second Half of the 17th Century In the history of the decline of the Gaelic language within Scotland, the church is seen as a key element in the anglicisation process. But while both state and church in the seventeenth century favoured the suppression of Gaelic in the longer term, there was a recognition by the church that, if the Highlands were to be brought within a unified 'religious jurisdiction', then Gaelic had to be used for religious instruction. Such usage, however, took place within particular ideological and institutional contexts.1 This article examines how the Church of Scotland attempted to accommodate Gaelic speakers .during the second half of the seventeenth century within the presbytery of Caithness, an area which was then on the linguistic frontier between Scots and Gaelic. In the mid-seventeenth century the presbytery of Caithness comprised not only the whole of the shire of Caithness, but also the province of Strathnaver in Sutherland containing the parishes of Dumess, Farr and part of Reay. The presbytery of Sutherland was thus restricted to the south east of the county, equivalent to what is sometimes referred to as the ancient earldom of Sutherland, and the parish of Assynt. The presbyteries of Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney combined to form a 'northern' synod. Most of the ministers in Caithness had been deposed for welcoming or failing to denounce the Marquis of Montrose during his ill-fated expedition of 1650.2 The combination of the Crornwellian conquest, royalist resistance and divisions within the church took a severe toll upon the personnel and 55 NORTHERN STUDIES· 33 administration of the church in Caithness.
    [Show full text]
  • Young Robertson &
    Young Young Robertson Robertson & Co. solicitors • estate agents & Co. Plots at HeathcliFF, Brough 29 TRAILL STREET THURSO KW14 8EG tel: 01847 896177 Available for sale are these two coastal plots offering wonderful open fax: 01847 896358 panoramic views to the Pentland Firth, Dunnet Head and Orkney Isles. [email protected] youngrob.co.uk With planning in principle granted in June 2016 for a single storey or 1 ½ storey dwelling each plot extends to approximately 5 acres (2.02 hectares). Access is directly from the main secondary road and electricity and water 21 BRIDGE STREET WICK KW1 4AJ is nearby. A private drainage system will be required. A haven for nature tel: 01955 605151 lovers and with excellent coastal walks on their door steps Brough is fax: 01955 602200 [email protected] within easy commuting distance to Thurso, with Wick being approximately youngrob.co.uk 20 miles away and offering airport and train connections to the south. A local primary school is also close by. caithnessproperty.co.uk f OFFers OVer £35,000 FOR EACH PLOT Services Price Water, electricity and telephone are nearby. It will be the purchaser’s Offers over £35,000 for each plot should be submitted to our Thurso Office. responsibility to install a private drainage system. Office Hours Planning Ref 9.15am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm Monday to Friday. 16/01472/PIP Latitude: Longitude: 58.644816 -3.332580 Postcode KW14 8YE Direction From the A836 passing through Dunnet take the turning for Brough onto the B855. At the signpost for Brough continue on the B855 which takes a turn to the left.
    [Show full text]