Following on:

3. Highland Discourse - When viewing the photos and how they may be viewed in the core/periphery and status discourses another angle becomes quite clear. The juxtaposition of the large, highly decorated homes on private estates vs the small, isolated workers or tenant cottages provides a stark contrast.

On both Fairburn and Redcastle estates the occupants and builders of the large homes were vast landowners. This can be seen from the remains of the lands owned today by these estates. While the houses themselves have begun to crumble (frequently due to money/taxation issues) the estates still remain large landowners. Money is still made for the estate owners by farming and more importantly, fishing, hunting and occasionally renewable energy rights.

The ruined smaller properties are often mixed in amongst other inhabited properties rented from the estate. They are still frequently in the marginal areas and while the occupants may access the land for walking, they are not entitled to fish or hunt on the estate without payment or permission.

Thus the Highland discourse of landed estates, insecure tenancies and lack of access to subsistence hunting/fishing can be viewed from the time of the earlier buildings straight through to the modern period.

Continuing from our discussion yesterday regarding discourses we can also view the photos in the project from a second viewpoint........

2. Status discourse

In each of the photos the size, quality, materials and decorative stonework gives a fairly clear idea of the status of individuals who resided in the properties.

Each of the large houses appear to have been made with the same stone type, red sandstone, which itself has a decorative nuance. The stones are often cut to appear uniform and there are numerous decorative archways, stonework, windows and doorways which add to the impression of high status. The large size of the properties highlights wealth and denotes that the occupants were able to afford heating, staff and sundries required for such a large household. The size of the properties also denotes a commanding presence in the landscape and perhaps signifies the importance of the inhabitants socially as opposed to the smaller homes inhabitants.

The smaller houses, often in less salubrious and more marginal locations, all are presented as small, low roofed homes. They generally appear to have one fireplace at the end of the property, usually only 2 doors at most and little to no decorative stonework. The stones appear rough and of various sizes. These homes appear to be local stone of varying kinds and, whilst built with skill, not attempting to be unique or decorative.  These homes give a picture of utility and frugality consistent with lower status homes.

It would be highly worthwhile to continue this analysis of how properties signify status in the landscape of the Highlands as there are many more properties and much more to be learned from styles and location in the landscape.

In viewing the photos taken thus far and examining the properties in situ a number of interesting discourses begin to appear.

1. Core/periphery discourse - The location in the landscape of these properties suggest a seat of power in the most desirable location with outlying properties located in marginal areas.

Redcastle Estate
- Large castle built on hill overlooking the Beauly Firth. Large, flat lawn area, sweeping drive and close to a good sized burn for fresh water requirements as well as the firth for fishing, etc.

- Smaller properties located up to 2-3 miles away on the same estate. Less easy access to sea, fresh water source and presently surrounded by large field systems growing grains and hay.

It may be suggested that the 'core' of the estate lies at the most desirable location and the outlying areas are placed to ensure workers are close to estate property for work purposes but perhaps not too close to interfere with daily life at the castle.

Fairburn Estate:

-Fairburn Tower is located on a long. flat hill close to the River Conon. The ruined tower is central on the Fairburn Estate and has been recorded in history due to a prediction by the Brahan Seer that it would one day crumble. There are numerous properties still inhabited by renters on the estate which are somewhat younger than the tower. There are numerous large fields used for agricultural and pastoral farming around the tower.

-Fairburn 1 & 2 are located fairly close to the River Orrin and is approximately .59 miles as the crow flies from the tower. This, though, is up and over a very large hill and across a river so during the time period that the Tower was the centre of the estate this would have been a much longer journey than the actual distance belies.
Fairburn 1 is placed on a large hill with a steep drop to one side and a rather boggy patch to the other. Neither area suggests a fertile spot for framing.
Fairburn 2 is found closer to the river on a flat shelf. The area suggests possible better opportunities for farming but due to the proximity of a hill on one side and the rive on the other, the suggestion is of subsistence rather than large scale farming for monetary gain.

Whilst I have yet to explore the Munlochy/Avoch site completely at this stage, the Core/Periphery discourse may be supported by the preliminary photos which suggest a large site in vast field systems close to the water and again placed upon a hill.

My licht

Large home between Munlochy and Avoch. Sits close to the Beauly Firth.

Decorative red sandstone

Looking towards the water and located among fields

Decorative work running along top of wall and lintel

Decorative arched doorway

Positioned close to water. On a slight hill so would have had a commanding view of the firth.

Thus far I have been focusing on the homes themselves but it would be advantageous to consider where these homes sit int e landscape and what this may suggest about the social status and preferred sites of the period.

1. Fairburn Tower -  This tower is located within a highly agricultural area. It lies in a fertile area on a vast hill and the view from the top of the tower would likely have offered views across the glen to Brahan Estate and towards the Strathpeffer/Ben Wyvis area. 

2. Fairburn  1 - This home with 2 outlying buildings lies on what is presently a rather rocky and less agriculturally salubrious plot. directly behind the house is a small river and a boggy area. To the front the land sweeps down steeply to a flat plain which turns into riverbank.

3. Fairburn 2 - The landscape of this plot is rather flat with direct access to the fairly wide River Orrin. A forestry/estate road runs alongside the property which lies equal distance from road and river. There are presently sheep pastured alongside the home and it is unknown how fertile the land may have been during habitation. There are signs of cement re-pointing suggesting either later habitation or re-use as a byre in the more recent past.

4. Redcastle - The 'Red Castle' is called so due to the use of red sandstone to build it. It lies on a very vast and fertile part of the Black Isle quite close to the Beauly Firth. The castle is approached by a sweeping drive and there is still much agricultural work done on the estate in the vicinity.

5. Redcastle homestead - This home is located at the 'crossroads' of three very large field systems. It is approached by a small path system and by an abandoned railway. Unlike the Fairburn properties it is located in very obviously fertile land though much further from the Firth than the Red Castle.

I believe more work needs to be done to investigate specific landscape features and how they may relate to the idea of social status.

Abriachan

These photos were taken at Abriachan, Inverness-shire. Due to the disrepair of the building it is difficult to ascertain whether this was a homestead or a byre. There doesn't seem to be a chimney represented and the land itself is flat and somewhat boggy. There are cows in a nearby field as well as some fresh hay.

Today was a revisit to Fairburn House 2. I wanted to focus a bit more on the craftsmanship of the property, any design features and and the materials used. 

The chinking/fill near the window lintel. Stone all appears to be local and a mixed variety. 

Small stones used to fill in gaps

Back of fireplace with iron bar

Fireplace chimney (taken from bottom and with arm up chimney rather than head due to safety concerns)

Window and lintel from inside of house

Interesting 'cement' fill/chinking and marks. Fairly rough without design.