Quriky Black Isle anniversary gift chimes with author behind new book venture
THE anniversary of a gift of a bell to an historic Black Isle landmark building more than five centuries ago has helped ring up a boost for a book throwing the spotlight on it in the present day.
This is the 559th anniversary of Bishop Tulloch gifting a bell to Fortrose Cathedral on the Black Isle.
To mark the milestone, the Black Isle’s biggest housebuilder Tulloch Homes is assisting the publication of a new book about the cathedral.
Elizabeth Sutherland, an award-winning local author based at Fortrose, and talented local artist Rachel Bevan Baker, have teamed up to create Highland Cathedral, an illustrated book for children and families.
Mike Marshall, Mrs Sutherland’s son, and fundraiser for the venture, explained:”Bishop Tulloch’s bell can still be heard today, 559 years later, so we approached Tulloch Homes to donate £1 for every year, and we’re delighted that they have agreed.
“This is a boost to our fundraising, which now stands at £6500 towards publishing costs and we hope to launch the publication on July 21.”
The old bell, in the cathedral’s Clock Tower, has an inscription bearing the name of Thomas Tulloch, Bishop of Ross in 1460, who donated the bell to St Mary and St Boniface.
Mr Marshall added:”My mother feels that the stories of what is one of only 13 medieval cathedrals in Scotland are little-known and that it would be nice for Black Isle families to be aware of them. They can see visualised what we once had here in Fortrose.
“We hope this can be the spur to the wider community, and Historic Environment Scotland, to take a renewed interest in medieval Fortrose. All profits from the book will go to Fortrose and Rosemarkie Community Council to use for local causes.”
George Fraser, Tulloch Homes chief executive, said:”The Tulloch connection with the cathedral is intriguing and we’re more than happy to help Mrs Sutherland’s book be published. We should preserve as much Highland history as possible.”
Legend has it that another bell at the cathedral was taken by Oliver Cromwell’s troops to be erected at his Citadel in Inverness. Following protests, it was decided to return it – but the bell fell overboard and was lost.
Elizabeth Sutherland was appointed honorary curator of Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie in 1982 and in her 13 years there she was responsible for it becoming a Pictish Centre. Her work on Coinneach Odhar, the Brahan Seer, established her as a serious storyteller.
Her other books include In Search of the Picts: A Celtic Dark Age Nation, Ravens and Black Rain, the story of Highland second sight; Five Euphemias; women in medieval Scotland and The Seer of Kintail.
Tulloch Homes have just sold out their development at The Bay, Fortrose, but remain active in the Black Isle with new phases at Braes of Conon, Conon Bridge and Broomhill in Muir of Ord.
