North Kessock (Gaelic: Ceasag a Tuath or Aiseag Cheasaig[3]) is a village on the Black Isle north of Inverness.
North Kessock
| |
|---|---|
 Main Street, with the Kessock Bridge in the background | |
  North Kessock Location within the Ross and Cromarty area | |
| Area | 0.79 km2 (0.31 sq mi) [1] |
| Population | 1,290 (2022)[2] |
| • Density | 1,633/km2 (4,230/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | NH652477 |
| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Inverness |
| Postcode district | IV1 3 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Description
editNorth 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.[4] Its counterpart across the Beauly Firth, South Kessock, is a district of Inverness.
History
editNearby 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][5] 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
editRecently the community has been involved in a long running dispute over the location of glass recycling bins.[6] 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.[7]
At least as of 29 July 2024 the glass recycling bin was in the main car park.
Wildlife
editNorth Kessock is a famous spot for watching bottlenose dolphins,[8] which are resident in the Moray Firth.
See also
editFootnotes
edit- ^ "North Kessock (Highland, Scotland, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ Maclean, Roddy (2004). The Gaelic Place Names and Heritage of Inverness. Inverness: Culcabock Publishing. p. 79. ISBN 978-0-9548925-0-0.
- ^ a b "North Kessock". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
- ^ "North Kessock and District History". North Kessock and District Local History Society. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
- ^ MacLennan, Chris. "Abuse, demonstrations and a divided community: Is the end in sight for a bitter dispute on the Black Isle?". Press and Journal. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ MacNeill, Alison. "Community Ballot - North Kessock Bottle Banks Result". www.highland.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ Collier, Ray (16 June 2011). "Country diary: North Kessock". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 May 2024.