High above the Cromarty Firth in the east of Scotland stands the Fyrish Monument. A path leads up to it, offering magnificent views.
It looks strange and out of place, up here on the hill. The architecture simply doesn’t seem to fit the Scottish Highlands. If that feeling creeps up on you, it isn’t misleading you: the Fyrish Monument, sitting like a proud diadem atop Cnoc Fyrish, imitates an Indian building.
By now, though, its arches have become part of the landscape, and the monument part of the region’s history. What’s more, a walking trail has been laid out to the Fyrish Monument, giving locals and visitors alike the chance to climb up to it.
It lies close to the NC500, and from the top there’s a magnificent view over the Cromarty Firth.
Looking the other way, the wild Highlands already come into view.
And the monument itself is a fine sight from various angles too.
Good to know: the history of the Fyrish Monument
So why does this strange structure stand here at all? It was built for Hector Munro in 1782. On the surface, it commemorates his capture of the Indian port city of Nagapattinam, with the Fyrish Monument said to represent its gates – always visible from Novar House, Munro’s seat.
But there was a second reason too. As the Highland Clearances got underway, there was widespread hunger among the population. Simply handing out money was frowned upon. So Munro came up with the idea of having the monument built and paying people to do the work. It’s even said that Munro had the stones carried down the hill and then back up again, purely to artificially prolong the labour.
What that labour actually felt like, anyone can experience for themselves on the walk – minus the stones.
Walk: route to the Fyrish Monument
The climb up to the monument is beautiful, and the path is mostly well maintained. Even so, it’s not entirely easy – sturdy footwear should definitely be worn.
There and back, it’s around 6 kilometres and 280 metres of ascent. Taking a nice break along the way, the walk takes between 2.5 and 3 hours.
The start is at the Fyrish car park.
Opposite the entrance stands a small wooden gate, marking the start of the path.
The path first runs through the forest, rising and falling repeatedly. Apart from a few sections, it’s easy enough to manage. There are no waymarkers, so if in doubt, just keep going straight ahead. After around two-thirds of the way, a pretty little pond appears on the left.
Shortly afterwards, the forest thins out, already offering glimpses of the Cromarty Firth.
Shortly after that, the climb is done, and the Fyrish Monument comes into view.
Getting there
With a sat nav: “IV17 0XL” will get you roughly in the right direction.
Without a sat nav: follow the A9 along the Cromarty Firth and take the exit for “Ardross”. Stay on this road until a wooden sign on the right points left towards the “Jubilee Path”. The road is also signed as a dead end. Continue along this Boath Road until the car park is signposted on the left, marked by the Novar Estates sign.
