Carbisdale battlefield site sparks interest
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Considerable interest is being shown in the sale of a historic battlefield site in Sutherland, according to selling agents.
Bell Ingram’s Joanne Stennett said that a number of people had already enquired about Carbisdale Battlefield near Bonar Bridge.
The 53-acres of heather moor, pine woodland and open burns have gone on the market at offers over £70,000.
The land sits in an elevated position with views to the Kyle of Sutherland and with Carbisdale Wood to the rear of the site.
Ms Stennett revealed: “One person in particular has made inquiries with the council about building a house. There is a property opposite.
“The site would lend itself to residential, but obviously it all depends on getting planning consent.”
Almost half the ground is designated as native woodland by the Forestry Commission Scotland.
“There is an opportunity to improve and extend the native species across the whole area to create a significant block of eco-friendly land,” said Ms Stennett.
“Alternatively, a mix of amenity and commercial woodland is also possible, with the benefit of current government funding for tree planting.”
She added: “No application has yet been made for a dwelling house, but a site could be found, subject to necessary planning consents, for the sensitive development of a family house in keeping with the beautiful surroundings.”
Carbisdale is significant as the last battle in 1650 of James Graham, the 1st Marquis of Montrose, in support of the Royalist cause.
The 17th century military commander, poet and patriotic Scot became known as the Great Montrose and is remembered in history for his tactical brilliance, winning six victories in a year.
But the Battle of Carbisdale was a decisive victory for the Covenanter forces arrayed against Montrose, with his forces routed almost without firing a shot.
Montrose himself escaped the field but he was handed over to the Covenanters a few days later and taken to Edinburgh to hear his sentence.
He was hung, drawn and quartered on May 21, 1650.
Carbisdale also marks the end of the internal struggles within Scotland as part of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
Their subsequent agreement with Charles II meant the Covenanters came into open conflict with Oliver Cromwell and the Protectorate instead, rather than Royalist supporters in their own lands.
