Foulis Castle

Foulis Castle is situated five miles south-west of Alness in Ross and Cromarty, Scotland. It is a white washed mansion that incorporates an old tower house with gun loops. The castle was held by the Clan Munro from the twelfth century or earlier and they had a stronghold there.

The remains of an 11th-century Motte (man-made mound topped by a wooden palisade), believed to be the very first fortification at Foulis, still remain in the castle grounds today.

Foulis Castle itself is mentioned briefly in records that date back to the 14th century although the original Tower of Foulis was believed to have been built in 1154. It is recorded by contemporary evidence that Uilleam III, Earl of Ross granted a charter to Robert de Munro of Foulis for the lands of "Estirfowlys" with the "Tower of Strathskehech" from 1350. It is also recorded that Euphemia I, Countess of Ross granted two charters to Robert's son, Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis in 1394. One of them dated 4 May 1394 is in respect of the "Wesstir Fowlys" and the "Tower of Strathschech", named so because of the River Sgitheach that passes through nearby Strath Skiach and into the Cromarty Firth.

A document signed and sealed at Foulis Castle in 1491 reads in Gaelic "caisteal biorach, nead na h-iolair", which means "castle gaunt-peaked, the eagle's nest". This is in allusion to the clan chief's hereldic emblem.

In 1542 Donald Mackay of Strathnaver, chief of the Clan Mackay was imprisoned in Foulis Castle, when he was captured after the Battle of Alltan-Beath. According to Fraser's Wardlaw manuscript written in the 17th century, because of the Munro's kindness and civility towards Donald Mackay "to this day" a correspondence was linked between the Munros and Mackays.

The castles "tower and fortalice" are also mentioned in a charter from the crown in 1587. In times of clan warfare, a signal beacon was lit on the highest tower of Foulis Castle to gather the clan under arms, hence the Munro slogan or gathering cry of "Caisteal Foghlais na theine," meaning Castle Foulis ablaze.

...
Wikipedia