Located in Caith, currently called Ross-Shire, in the lands of clan Urchurdan lies Knockfarrel. This ancient Pictish hillfort lies atop a steep rise, coming to a height of 579 feet. A vitrified fort now, it measures 420 feet by 120 feet and is defended by breastworks. It is located on the northernmost point of the Druimchat ridge or Cat's Back region, which borders the southern edge of the Strathpeffer flat.

It appears to have been a rounded cylinder of a fort with steep sides, which would have presented quite an obstacle to anyone trying to breech the Picti defenses.

Locals believe the hill forts of the Easter Ross area were once the stronghold of King Brude, a Pictish King who held lands throughout the Inverness and Lock Ness areas. Craig Phadrig is considered to be the central point of this ring. Approximately 20 miles from Knockfarrel fort, it is easily possible to see the sites of five other hillforts. King Brude's ring was believed to end at a fort at the site of what is currently Urquhart Castle on Lock Ness.



Popular theory also holds that the forts could communicate across the miles using signal fires to warn of invasion. It would have allowed a faster response than sending out messengers and waiting for reinforcements, and it is known that such signals were used in other areas of the world. While there is no definitive proof that this was true of the Picts, it should be noted that the forts overlooked prime grazing lands and held key defensible postions.

It may be a romanticized possibility that the fort was burned by a clan trying to gain control of the site and the nearby spring in Strathpeffer. The mineral springs, which rise out of an old red sandstone formation, are reputed to have healing powers, curing such diverse problems as digestive and kidney disorders, rheumatism and skin disease.

There are stone pillars near Strathpeffer carved with an eagle, the symbol of the Monroe Clan. The stone marks the assumed site where the Monroes of Foulis were defeated by the MacKenzies of Seaforth in 1478. Earlier at the same site a band of Mackenzies defeated a body of MacDonald's of the Isles. The surrounding area is also notable for having one of the first identifiable tartan patterns.

Editors for the Gazetteer for Scotland 2002-2004 online

Scottishweb‹Knockfarrel Pictish Hillfort-Scotland by Stewart MacKay

Encyclopedia of Tartan