Rosemarkie
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Rosemarkie (Scottish Gaelic: Ros Maircnidh) (NGR: NH 736 576) is a village on the south coast of the Black Isle peninsula in northern Scotland, a quarter of a mile east of the town of Fortrose. The pair make up the Royal Burgh Of Fortrose and Rosemarkie, and are located approximately twelve miles north-east of Inverness.
Rosemarkie is probably best known for its collection of finely carved Pictish stones, which is one of the largest in Scotland at a single site. These 8th-9th century sculptures, found in and around the village churchyard, are displayed in the Groam House Museum, a converted 18th century town-house on the High Street (open in summer; entrance charge). These carved stones are evidence for a major early monastery at Rosemarkie, founded by, or associated with, Saint Moluag (d. 592) and Boniface, otherwise known as Curetán (fl. early 8th century). The sculptures include cross-slabs, shrine fragments and architectural pieces. One small fragment of a stone from Rosemarkie is in the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Rosemarkie fronts on a wide, picturesque bay, with views of Fort George and the Moray coastline across the Moray Firth. Rosemarkie has one of the finest beaches on the Moray Firth Coast Line. At the Fortrose end of the bay is Chanonry Point, reputed to be the best location on the United Kingdom mainland from which to see dolphins. Rosemarkie is linked to Inverness by fairly irregular bus services, which are provided by Highland Country Buses.
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