Croy
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 Croy & Dalcross Parish Church | |
  Croy Location within theInverness area | |
| Population | 498 (2011 census)[1] |
| OS grid reference | NH796495 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | INVERNESS |
| Postcode district | IV2 5 |
| Dialling code | 01667 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
| Website | Community Council |
| 57°31′16″N4°00′40″W / 57.521175°N 4.011056°W /57.521175; -4.011056 | |
Croy (Gaelic:Crothaigh[2]) is a village betweenInverness andNairn, in theHighland council area inScotland. The village looks over theMoray Firth and is located a few miles fromInverness Airport. The estimated population of the village is 498 according to the adjusted 2011 census.[3]
In the Early Middle Ages, the region where the village is situated was settled by thePicts prior to the merger of the Pictish and Gaelic kingdoms underCínaed mac Ailpín to form the basis for the earlyKingdom of Alba. This is evidenced by pieces of pictish jewelry from around 800AD which have been found in the area, many of which are displayed at theInverness Museum[4] and theNational Museum of Scotland.[5]
Kilravock Castle, the seat of theClan Rose is located 1 mile (2 kilometres) from the village. The original keep was built in 1460 by the 7th Baron under licence granted by John,Lord of the Isles and Earl of Ross.[6] The castle was significantly extended into its modern appearance by the addition of a large mansion house in 1553 by the 10th Baron. Known as theBlack Baron, he also entertainedMary, Queen of Scots at Kilravock during her 1562 progress around Scotland.[7]
The site of theBattle of Culloden is located within the sameparish approximately 7 miles (11 kilometres) west of the village. The Jacobite army would have passed close to the village on the night of 15 April 1746 as part of their failed attempt to attack the government forces camped nearNairn.[8] PrinceCharles Edward Stuart was entertained at Kilravock Castle four days before the battle. This was followed by a visit byPrince William, Duke of Cumberland shortly after the Jacobite defeat. Tradition states that Baron Rose justified his impartial treatment of the two sides on the grounds of Highland hospitality despite his family’s Hanoverian sympathies[9]
The local parish church was built in 1764 with significant repairs to the building made in 1829.[10] The building is a typical Presbyterian rectangular church with a ball finial on the east gable and a birdcage bellcote on the west gable.[11] The B-listed parish manse was built in 1855 by the Scottish architectJames Matthews.[12] Following theDisruption of 1843, followers of theFree Church worshipped jointly with parishioners inCawdor until a dedicated church building and manse opened in Croy in 1852.[13] The Free Church parishes of Nairn, Croy, Cawdor, and Ardersier were consolidated in 1987[14] and Croy Free Church was closed in 2004.[15]
The village hall was built in 1907 with the aid of local funding in addition to a grant from theCarnegie Library fund.[16] The land where the hall stands was donated by the Kilravock estate. A war memorial commemorating 27 local victims of theFirst World War was erected next to the village hall in 1919 with an additional 11 names added after theSecond World War.[17]
The local area has expanded in recent years. Scotia Homes have completed a development of 40 homes on the outskirts of the village.[18] A larger development of approximately 100 homes has been proposed for construction in the coming decades but this has worried the local community.[19]
The local area is represented by Croy & Culloden Moor Community Council. The community run a village hall which serves numerous local organisations include the 11th Inverness (Croy)Scouts. The village shop closed down in May 2014. The nearest shop is now inCawdor, 3 miles (5 kilometres) away. The village has a primary school in the catchment area ofCulloden Academy. Nearby Cantraybridge College also provides rural vocational training for adults with learning disabilities as well as a community café which provides skills enhancing employment for young people with disabilities.[20]
Kilravock Castle was opened as a Christian Guest House in May 1967 but no longer offers bed and breakfast accommodation. The castle and grounds are closed to the public but visiting the gardens is possible by leaving a donation. There are no staff to enable visits or tours of the Castle. The Kilravock Castle Christian Trust maintainThe Granary (bunkhouse accommodation) which can be booked by young groups and the Rose Hall which can be booked for all kinds of events for up to 150 people.
Croy & Dalcross Parish Church is the local congregation of theChurch of Scotland. Services take place every Sunday at 12 noon.[21] The church also maintains a dedicated Church Hall. Local bus services between Croy andInverness are run byStagecoach in Inverness. There is no Sunday bus service.
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