Balblair
Encampment (17th Century)
Site Name Balblair
Classification Encampment (17th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Beauly Ferry
Canmore ID 12689
Site Number NH54NW 3
NGR NH 53 45
NGR Description NH c.53 45
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/12689
- Council Highland
- Parish Kirkhill
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Inverness
- Former County Inverness-shire
NH54NW 3 53 45
See also NH54NW 45.
There are turf enclosures, apparently the remains of a military encampment, known locally as 'Balnashee' or 'Town of the Fairies' in the middle of a wood, on the south side of the River Beauly, at Beauly Ferry. These are locally believed to be the remains of Middleton's camp, used when his army followed Montrose's retreat to the wood of Fairly (c.1645) two miles above Beauly, after a skirmish at Inverness (NH44NE 2). Montrose broke his camp, which was in view of Middleton's across the river after three days, but Middleton is thought to have remained longer.
Information from OS (ESS), 25 November 1964.
ISSFC 1888.
No further information.
Visited by OS (N K B) 22 October 1964.
Field Visit (January 1978)
Balblair NH c. 53 45 NH54NW 3
Nothing is now to be seen of turf enclosures recorded in 1882 and said to be an encampment built by Middleton's army in 1646, when in pursuit of Montrose after the siege of Inverness. See also NH44NE 2.
RCAHMS 1979, visited January 1978
Transactions of the Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club, ii, 1880-3, 234, 235; Maclean 1975, 202-3
