A BRIEF HISTORY OF INVERGARRY AND GLENGARRY

Like so many West Highland clans, the early history of Glengarry and its people would appear to have been somewhat turbulent in nature - and more than a little violent!

It was not until the 17th century that the Chief of the Glengarry MacDonells built any sort of permanent residence in the Glen - and only then because his arm had been twisted! The MacDonell clan were forced to give up their occupancy of the Castle of Strome by Loch Carron as part of the settlement of a long running feud with the Mackenzie clan.

The present ruin is evidently the third to be built on or near this site in the space of only100 years - it seemed the MacDonell Chiefs had difficulty keeping a roof over their heads for any length of time! The present castle has been in a ruinous state since 1746, shortly after Culloden. The site on which it stands was known as Ravens Rock - Creagan an Fhithich - and was reputedly the favourite gathering place for the clan in bygone times!

Two local and notable marked sites are the Well of the Seven Heads and The Battle of the Shirts. Urrrrgh...........

The 'Well of the Seven Heads' dates from the mid 17th century, when the heads of the murderers of MacDonell of Keppoch's two sons were severed and washed in the spring before being shown to the Glengarry Chief!

The 'Battle of the Shirts' dates from 1544 when a violent battle was fought on ground now underwater at the head of Loch Lochy. It was so called because it took place on a hot day in July, and apparently the warring factions threw off their plaids and kilts and fought in just their shirts! Reputedly the largest and most bloody inter-clan battle ever fought, close to 1000 men fought hand-to-hand combat. The Frasers' and Grants' clans opposed a larger force of MacDonells, MacDonalds and Camerons - the Fraser force was almost completely wiped out.

After Culloden came the collapse of the clan system, and with it widespread poverty and deprivation, leading to emigration and clearance. Between 1700 and 1850, the population of the Glen declined from circa 5000 to under 400. Fortunately, 'Ellice' then entered the stage.....

'Bear Ellice' first acquired the Glen Quoich part of the Glengarry estate @ 1838, with the remainder of the estate coming under his wing over the following 20 years or so. As well as the mansion (now the Glengarry Castle Hotel), three lodges - GlenQuoich (now underwater), Ardochy and Aberchalder, and the Factors house (now the Craigard Guest House), Ellice built the entire village along the north side of the road (now the A87).

Included in this development was the hotel, church, school, hospital and general store. There was also a glass works, gas works, sawmill, smithy, foresters house and Alms houses. Indeed, most of the stone houses throughout the Glen, including Tomdoun Hotel and Tomdoun Church, were built by Ellice.

At this time a lively literary and debating society held regular meetings through the winter, and it was usually well attended (often over 100). It is true to say that this period of about 70 years leading up to the Great Wars was probably the best period for the Glen since the 18th century. With a population stabilised at circa 400 - 500, people were blessed with good housing, amenities and employment.