North Kessock Explained

Country:Scotland
Official Name:North Kessock
Gaelic Name:Ceasag a Tuath
Area Total Km2:0.79
Area Footnotes:[1]
Population Ref:
Static Image Name:Main Street, North Kessock - geograph.org.uk - 1475614.jpg
Static Image Caption:Main Street, with the Kessock Bridge in the background
Os Grid Reference:NH652477
Map Type:Ross and Cromarty
Coordinates:57.5015°N -4.2453°W
Unitary Scotland:Highland
Constituency Westminster:Ross, Skye and Lochaber
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Post Town:Inverness
Postcode District:IV1 3
Postcode Area:IV

North Kessock (Gaelic: Ceasag a Tuath or Aiseag Cheasaig[2]) is a village on the Black Isle north of Inverness.

Description

North Kessock is the first village encountered over the Kessock Bridge. Now bypassed by the main road to the north (the A9), the village remains quiet.[3] Its counterpart across the Beauly Firth, South Kessock, is a district of Inverness.

History

Nearby Ord Hill has the remains of a hill fort dating back to around 550BC which was reused by the Picts around 1,000 years later.

North Kessock probably existed as early as 1437, when the Dominican monastery in Inverness was granted a charter to operate a ferry to the Black Isle.[4] This was on the pilgrim route north to St Duthac Church in Tain. The ferry was discontinued in 1982 upon the opening of the Kessock Bridge.

Recycling Dispute

Recently the community has been involved in a long running dispute over the location of glass recycling bins.[5] The matter was settled after a community ballot organised by Highland Council where 67% of those who responded voted to site the bins in the main car park.[6]

At least as of July 29, 2024, the glass recycling bin was in the main car park.

Wildlife

North Kessock is a famous spot for watching bottlenose dolphins,[7] which are resident in the Moray Firth.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: North Kessock (Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information . www.citypopulation.de . 4 April 2019.
  2. Book: Maclean, Roddy . The Gaelic Place Names and Heritage of Inverness . 2004 . Culcabock Publishing . Inverness . 978-0-9548925-0-0 . 79.
  3. Web site: North Kessock. Undiscovered Scotland. 18 September 2009.
  4. Web site: North Kessock and District History. North Kessock and District Local History Society. 18 September 2009.
  5. Web site: MacLennan . Chris . Abuse, demonstrations and a divided community: Is the end in sight for a bitter dispute on the Black Isle? . 2022-05-13 . Press and Journal . en-GB.
  6. Web site: MacNeill . Alison . Community Ballot - North Kessock Bottle Banks Result . 2022-05-13 . www.highland.gov.uk . en.
  7. News: Collier . Ray . Country diary: North Kessock . 1 May 2024 . The Guardian . 16 June 2011.