Kildary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kildary
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 Kildary
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| OS grid reference | NH768749 |
| Civil parish |
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| Council area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Tain |
| Postcode district | IV18 0 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
Kildary (which is Caoldaraigh in Gaelic) is a small village in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. It is located in an area called Easter Ross, which is part of Ross and Cromarty in Scotland. The village sits close to the Balnagown River.
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Exploring Kildary and Its Surroundings
Kildary is surrounded by interesting places. The village is bordered by the Balnagown River and the large Balnagown estate. This estate includes the historic Balnagown Castle. The castle and estate are currently owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, who used to own the famous Harrods department store in London.
Getting Around Kildary
The main road, the A9, passes very close to Kildary. It runs right next to the Far North Line, which is a railway line.
One of the most well-known spots visible from the A9 is Ken's Garage. This garage has been in the same place for many years. It was named after its first owner, Mr. Ken Mackay. Today, it is owned by the Bannerman brothers. The A9 road used to run directly in front of the garage before it was moved to its current path.
Near the garage, you can also spot an unusual building called East Lodge. It looks like a Tudor-style house and is part of the Tarbat Estate.
Kildary's Railway History
Kildary once had its own train station called Kildary railway station. It opened on June 1, 1864, and was first known as Parkhill. It was renamed Kildary on May 1, 1868. The station served the village for many years until it closed on June 13, 1960.
When the A9 road was changed, the station's platforms and tracks were removed. However, the original station building is still standing and is protected as a listed building because of its historical importance.
Fun Walks and Drives
Kildary is a great starting point for outdoor adventures. To the north, you can explore the Scotsburn area. It has many small, winding single-track roads that are perfect for walks or scenic drives.
About 300 meters (330 yards) south of Kildary is the village of Milton. From here, you can access lovely woodlands and the Balnagown River. You can even follow the river all the way down to the coast at the Cromarty Firth.
Scotsburn and World War II
During World War II, the Scotsburn area was home to a number of German prisoners of war. These prisoners helped the local farming community with their work.
Kildary and Clan Ross
Kildary is an important place for people who are researching the Clan Ross. The Clan Ross is a historic Scottish clan, and Balnagown Castle was once the main home of the Chiefs of Clan Ross.
If you are interested in visiting Balnagown Castle, remember that it is on private land. You need to get special permission well in advance if you wish to visit.
