Rosemarkie

Rosemarkie Gaelic: Ros Mhaircnidh Scots: Rossmartnie
Ross-shire
Rosemarkie seen from the beach
Location
Grid reference:	NH736577
Location:	57°35’30"N, 4°6’55"W
Data
Post town:	Fortrose
Postcode:	IV10
Local Government
Council:	Highland

Rosemarkie is a village and parish on the south coast of the Black Isle peninsula in Ross-shire. The name is from the Gaelic Ros Mhaircnidh meaning "promontory of the horse stream".

Geography

Rosemarkie lies a quarter of a mile east of the town of Fortrose. The pair make up the Royal Burgh Of Fortrose and Rosemarkie, situated either side of the Chanonry Ness promontory, about twelve miles north-east of Inverness.

Rosemarkie fronts on a wide, picturesque bay, with views of Fort George and the Morayshire coastline across the Moray Firth. Rosemarkie has one of the finest beaches on the Moray Firth Coast Line. At the southern end of the beach is Chanonry Point, reputed to be the best location on the United Kingdom mainland from which to see dolphins.

Pictish stones

Rosemarkie is probably best known for its collection of finely carved Pictish stones, which is one of the largest in Scotland at a single site. These 8th-9th century sculptures, found in and around the Town's churchyard, are displayed in the Groam House Museum, a converted 18th-century town-house on the High Street (open in summer; entrance charge). These carved stones are evidence for a major early monastery at Rosemarkie, founded by, or associated with, Saint Moluag (d. 592) and Boniface, otherwise known as Curetán (fl. early 8th century). The sculptures include cross-slabs, shrine fragments and architectural pieces. One small fragment of a stone from Rosemarkie is in the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

Outside links

• Rosemarkie