| North Kessock | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Ceasag a Tuath | |
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North Kessock
North Kessock shown within the Highland council area |
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| OS grid reference | NH652477 |
|---|---|
| Council area | Highland |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Inverness |
| Postcode district | IV1 3 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
North Kessock (Gaelic: Ceasag a Tuath or Aiseag Cheasaig[1]) is a village on the Black Isle north of Inverness.
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North Kessock is the first village encountered over the Kessock Bridge. Now by-passed by the main road to the north (the A9), the village remains quiet.[2] Its counterpart across the Beauly Firth, South Kessock, is a district of Inverness.
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.[2][3] This was on the pilgrim route north to St Duthac Church in Tain.
The Kessock Ferry connected North and South Kessock until 1982, when the Kessock Bridge was completed and opened.
North Kessock is a famous spot for watching bottlenose dolphins, which are resident in the Moray Firth - indeed they are the most northerly group of bottlenose dolphins in the world. The Dolphin and Seal Centre, just north of the village (off the A9 road), is run by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. It is located in the Tourist Information car park, where there is also the Ralía Café or alternatively can be reached by a steep path leading from the village shop. The charity also runs the Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay.