Muir of Ord
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 The centre of the village | |
  Muir of Ord Location within theRoss and Cromarty area | |
| Population | 2,840 (2020)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NH5250 |
| • Edinburgh | 118 mi (190 km) |
| • London | 450 mi (724 km) |
| Community council |
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Muir of Ord |
| Postcode district | IV6 |
| Dialling code | 01463 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
| 57°31′05″N4°27′35″W / 57.5181°N 4.4597°W /57.5181; -4.4597 | |
Muir of Ord (Scottish Gaelic:Am Blàr Dubh) is a village inEaster Ross, in theHighland council area ofScotland. It is situated near the western end of theBlack Isle, about 9 miles (14 km) west of the city ofInverness and5+1⁄2 miles (9 km) south ofDingwall.[3] The village had a population of 2,840 in 2020[1] and sits 35 metres (115 ft) above sea level.[3] The Scottish geologist SirRoderick Murchison was born in the village in 1792.
In September 2022, the village came to media attention when a localfish and chip shop owner uploaded aFacebook video celebrating thedeath of Queen Elizabeth II with a bottle of champagne. The owner was then chased away from the village by angry locals who vandalized the chip shop with eggs and tomato ketchup.[4][5]
NamedTarradale until 1862,[6] historically access to the village was limited by the natural obstacles of theRiver Beauly and theRiver Conon. This changed in 1814 with the construction of theConon Bridge.Cattle drivers used the new routes to transport livestock and markets were set up in 1820 close to where the village now lies.[6] In 1835whisky distilling operations were legally granted in the village and by 1885 theMill of Ord produced 80,000 imperial gallons (360,000 L) per year. The village grew extensively in the 19th century due to the establishment of thedistillery and goods industries.[7]
Also known as theMuir of Ord Fort, it is aNeolithic orBronze-Age henge and national monument of Scotland situated 300 yards (270 m) fromMuir of Ord railway station.[8] Today it is situated on the green of the Muir of Ord golf course. The henge measures 85 by 65 feet (26 by 20 m) and is surrounded by an 18 ft (5.5 m) wide ditch which is 4 ft (1.2 m) deep.[9] There also are twostanding stones about3⁄4 mile (1.2 km) away from the henge.[8]
On the outskirts of the village lies the chapel of Kilchrist. The building is held to have been the site of a notorious massacre in 1603 when warriors fromClan MacDonell of Glengarry came to reckon with their enemies theMacKenzies of Kintail and found a congregation of them at prayer.[10] The church was sealed with them still inside and set on fire while the MacDonells' piper circled the building playing 'March Glengarry' to mask the sounds of screaming.[11] In the latter part of the 19th century, the building was restored and is now used as the mausoleum of the MacKenzies of Ord.[10]
Just outside of the centre of the village is theGlen Ord distillery, one of the few remaining whisky distilleries on theBlack Isle.[12] TheBlack Isle Show,[13] one of the largestagricultural shows in Scotland, is held every August in a showground near Muir of Ord. The showground is a popular exhibition site thanks to the surrounding flower fields.
Muir of Ord have a local football team,Muir of Ord Rovers, that previously competed in theNorth Caledonian Football League,[7]before deciding to step down into amateur football in 2014. The club currently play in theInverness and District Football League Division Two. The club plays at Pavilion Park, behind the bowling club and community pavilion.
The Muir Hub is the newest community building in Muir of Ord. Originally belonging to Tarradale primary school the building had been left unused for numerous years before being refurbished in January 2017.[14][15] It is now a charity funded venue situated in the heart of the village. The building is multi-functional serving as a cafe, small cinema, conference space and social space. Many local groups meet here and rooms can be rented out for events, clubs, meetings, etc.
The major route of theA9 road passed through the village until 1982, when it was bypassed by theKessock Bridge.[16]
The village is served byMuir of Ord railway station, which is on theKyle of Lochalsh Line and theFar North Line betweenDingwall andInverness.[17]
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