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History
Tulloch Castle, home
of the Chiefs of the Clan Davidson, is located on the outskirts
of Dingwall, in the county of Ross and Cromarty, or Ross-shire.
There is a great deal of fascinating history surrounding Dingwall,
a little town which has played an important role in the history
and leadership of the Highlands.
Dingwall was granted 'burghal rights' by King Alexander II of
Scotland in 1226. Prior to that date it was called by many by
it's Gaelic name, "Inverferan". This name was in use
for five hundred years. On the earliest map of Scotland that
has been found, dated 1246, the name appears as "Dinkeual".
Dingwall has been a Royal Burgh now for seven hundred years.
Tulloch Castle was probably
built by the Norsemen, but all that remains of the original are
the south-west corner and its tower. It was first called Tulloch
in 1507 from the Gaelic word "Tuich" which means "hillock".
No other part of the Highlands
has a more romantic history in respect of clan feuds and forays
as the land surrounding Tulloch Castle and the town of Dingwall.
Throughout the period, and right up until today, four chief families
have been especially active in town and country life. They are
the Baynes, (later intermarrying with the Davidsons), the Dingwalls,
the MacKenzies and the Munros, and the first of these is the
important one as regards Tulloch Castle.
 Bayne (or Bain, Bane, MacBain or MacBean) -
the name comes from the Gaelic words "ban" meaning
'light coloured" i.e. fair-complexioned for fair-headed.
The Baynes are first recorded as being in Dingwall in the late
15th century. The origins go back to Donald Bane of Malcolm Canmore's
reign, and a James Bayne, Bishop of St. Andrews, crowned King
David II at Scone.
The first Bayne of Tulloch
was Duncan who received a charter from King James V in 1541 giving
him the lands of Tuich or Oulch (later Tulloch). In 1533 he acquired
from the Clan Munro the lands of Davochcarte (now Docharty) which
adjoined Tulloch Hill lands. A road was built between the two
castles but it is now gone and only Tulloch remains today. Another
report, giving the Baynes an earlier claim, states that the Baynes
lived in Tulloch Castle for two hundred and fifty years, from
1513 to 1752. They made many matrimonial alliances with leading
northern Highland families, thus becoming very prominent in the
public and social life of the area and in Dingwall's municipal
affairs. In 1716, John Bayne became the first Presbyterian minister
in Dingwall. He preached in Gaelic.
 Kenneth, the eighth Bayne of Tulloch, sold
the estate to his cousin, Henry Davidson on the 13th January,
1762. Henry was the son of William Davidson and Jean Bayne and
the Davidson of Tulloch was the Chief of the Clan Dhai from that
time on.
The Davidsons have been prominent
in the social life of the north for over two hundred years. The
best known of the family during these more recent times came
from Dingwall and was a favourite of Queen Victoria. He was a
Highlander of handsome proportions and picturesque to a degree,
with a magnificent head and white hair flowing in long curls
over his shoulders. His name was Duncan Davidson and, like him,
most of the Davidsons are tall. Down through centuries they have
also been reputed to be a fighting family.
The last of the direct line of Davidsons at Tulloch was a Duncan
Davidson who died in 1917. His daughters inherited Tulloch Castle
and her son, Colonel Angus Vickers, of Vickers Aircraft, was
the last owner of Tulloch lands. In 1920 the Castle, which was
falling badly into disrepair, was completely renovated by Mr
and Mrs Vickers. Three of the Davidsons of Tulloch served as
Provost of the town of Dingwall. They were Henry Davidson of
1779, Duncan Davidson in 1784 and Duncan Davidson in 1840.
The Vickers family gave the Tulloch Lands to the Highland Regional
Council just a few years ago. Since then the Castle served intermittently
as a dormitory for the Dingwall Academy before being converted
to its present use as a hotel.
Ken and Margaret MacAulay with
their family, Emma and Kevin purchased Tulloch Castle in August
1996.
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