Discussion:
Tulloch Castle
(too old to reply)
Jim Mason
2005-07-20 20:29:50 UTC
Permalink
Hi

Tulloch Castle (now hotel) in Dingwall boasts of a tunnel that runs from
there to "Dingwall Castle". Folklore or fact - anyone?


"There is a secret tunnel from the basement of Tulloch Castle across
town to the ancient Dingwall Castle. It is now too dangerous to use as
most of it has caved in and so it was abandoned many years ago. However,
there is an air-vent in the middle of the front lawn of Tulloch, which
you can look down today and through which you can dimly perceive this
tunnel."

I think the clue might well be in `dimly perceive`!

Picture of the site of Dingwall Castle here:-

Loading Image...

Tulloch Castle Hotel website

http://www.tullochcastle.co.uk/

Own pic of hotel/castle lawn (big file)

Loading Image...

Jim
Mike Ross
2005-07-20 22:36:14 UTC
Permalink
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:29:50 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Hi
Tulloch Castle (now hotel) in Dingwall boasts of a tunnel that runs from
there to "Dingwall Castle". Folklore or fact - anyone?
Utter BS. And I speak with considerable authority; I was brought up in
Dingwall, my uncle was caretaker of Tulloch castle for many years -
back in the days when it was a hostel for schoolkids from the west
coast, who boarded there during the week and went home at weekends.

I played there often as a kid and there is *no* tunnel. Dingwall
castle (remains of) is on the level ground in the town itself; Tulloch
castle is several hundred feet up a steep hill, a mile away.

Mike
--
http://www.corestore.org
'As I walk along these shores
I am the history within'
Jim Mason
2005-07-21 10:55:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ross
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:29:50 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Hi
Tulloch Castle (now hotel) in Dingwall boasts of a tunnel that runs from
there to "Dingwall Castle". Folklore or fact - anyone?
Utter BS. And I speak with considerable authority; I was brought up in
Dingwall, my uncle was caretaker of Tulloch castle for many years -
back in the days when it was a hostel for schoolkids from the west
coast, who boarded there during the week and went home at weekends.
I played there often as a kid and there is *no* tunnel. Dingwall
castle (remains of) is on the level ground in the town itself; Tulloch
castle is several hundred feet up a steep hill, a mile away.
Thanks for that Mike. Perhaps they should be removing such baloney from
their webpage.

Jim
Jim Mason
2005-07-24 20:07:12 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ross
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:29:50 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Hi
Tulloch Castle (now hotel) in Dingwall boasts of a tunnel that runs from
there to "Dingwall Castle". Folklore or fact - anyone?
Utter BS. And I speak with considerable authority; I was brought up in
Dingwall, my uncle was caretaker of Tulloch castle for many years -
back in the days when it was a hostel for schoolkids from the west
coast, who boarded there during the week and went home at weekends.
I played there often as a kid and there is *no* tunnel. Dingwall
castle (remains of) is on the level ground in the town itself; Tulloch
castle is several hundred feet up a steep hill, a mile away.
Further to that I have been in correspondence with someone senior at
Tulloch Castle Hotel who assures me there is most certainly a tunnel
under the castle lawn and is still accessible. He is unwilling to let me
use his email here but is going to provide some evidence to back this
up. I have asked to visit it this weekend as I am holidaying at Evanton.

Jim
Mike Ross
2005-07-24 21:42:34 UTC
Permalink
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 21:07:12 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Post by Mike Ross
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:29:50 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Hi
Tulloch Castle (now hotel) in Dingwall boasts of a tunnel that runs from
there to "Dingwall Castle". Folklore or fact - anyone?
Utter BS. And I speak with considerable authority; I was brought up in
Dingwall, my uncle was caretaker of Tulloch castle for many years -
back in the days when it was a hostel for schoolkids from the west
coast, who boarded there during the week and went home at weekends.
I played there often as a kid and there is *no* tunnel. Dingwall
castle (remains of) is on the level ground in the town itself; Tulloch
castle is several hundred feet up a steep hill, a mile away.
Further to that I have been in correspondence with someone senior at
Tulloch Castle Hotel who assures me there is most certainly a tunnel
under the castle lawn and is still accessible. He is unwilling to let me
use his email here but is going to provide some evidence to back this
up. I have asked to visit it this weekend as I am holidaying at Evanton.
Oh there may be a tunnel or cellar or old shelter under the lawn - but
any notion of a tunnel *running to Dingwall castle* is moonshine!

Mike
--
http://www.corestore.org
'As I walk along these shores
I am the history within'
Jim Mason
2005-07-24 21:59:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ross
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 21:07:12 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Post by Mike Ross
On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 21:29:50 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Hi
Tulloch Castle (now hotel) in Dingwall boasts of a tunnel that runs from
there to "Dingwall Castle". Folklore or fact - anyone?
Utter BS. And I speak with considerable authority; I was brought up in
Dingwall, my uncle was caretaker of Tulloch castle for many years -
back in the days when it was a hostel for schoolkids from the west
coast, who boarded there during the week and went home at weekends.
I played there often as a kid and there is *no* tunnel. Dingwall
castle (remains of) is on the level ground in the town itself; Tulloch
castle is several hundred feet up a steep hill, a mile away.
Further to that I have been in correspondence with someone senior at
Tulloch Castle Hotel who assures me there is most certainly a tunnel
under the castle lawn and is still accessible. He is unwilling to let me
use his email here but is going to provide some evidence to back this
up. I have asked to visit it this weekend as I am holidaying at Evanton.
Oh there may be a tunnel or cellar or old shelter under the lawn - but
any notion of a tunnel *running to Dingwall castle* is moonshine!
My opinion also. He claims the tunnel runs for at least fifty feet back
towards the house and at one time went down the hill where the new(ish)
houses are and was destroyed there by the foundations. And also there
are traces in the town around where the ruins of the castle are. I look
forward to the evidence and the chance of a look this weekend :-)

Jim
MB
2005-07-25 06:43:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jim Mason
My opinion also. He claims the tunnel runs for at least fifty feet back
towards the house and at one time went down the hill where the new(ish)
houses are and was destroyed there by the foundations. And also there
are traces in the town around where the ruins of the castle are. I look
forward to the evidence and the chance of a look this weekend :-)
There is a short tunnel at Cromarty House that was for access by
servants and tradesmen. It is shown on the map and listed in CANMORE.
Perhaps something like that?

MB
Jim Mason
2005-07-25 07:39:59 UTC
Permalink
In article <***@nospam.com>, ***@nospam.com
says...
Post by MB
Post by Jim Mason
My opinion also. He claims the tunnel runs for at least fifty feet back
towards the house and at one time went down the hill where the new(ish)
houses are and was destroyed there by the foundations. And also there
are traces in the town around where the ruins of the castle are. I look
forward to the evidence and the chance of a look this weekend :-)
There is a short tunnel at Cromarty House that was for access by
servants and tradesmen. It is shown on the map and listed in CANMORE.
Perhaps something like that?
My contact has offered me the chance to go and visit the tunnel this
weekend and aslo the view the extensive historical archive they have at
the castle.

I'm sure I checked Canmore for Tulloch Castle and nothing was listed for
a tunnel.

Jim
MB
2005-07-25 10:18:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Jim Mason
I'm sure I checked Canmore for Tulloch Castle and nothing was listed for
a tunnel.
CANMORE
"Tulloch Castle, Garden Bridge
Arched Tunnel Entrance
NH 5474 6027 "

Can't see anything in the Highland SMR


MB
Jim Mason
2005-07-25 10:31:58 UTC
Permalink
In article <***@nospam.com>, ***@nospam.com
says...
Post by MB
Post by Jim Mason
I'm sure I checked Canmore for Tulloch Castle and nothing was listed for
a tunnel.
CANMORE
"Tulloch Castle, Garden Bridge
Arched Tunnel Entrance
NH 5474 6027 "
Can't see anything in the Highland SMR
I think the `arched tunnel` refers simply to the entrance which is a
very short archway/tunnel. This is at the SE side of the hotel and isn't
seen on any of the normal front view photographs.

Jim
Jim Mason
2005-08-02 23:01:57 UTC
Permalink
In article <***@nospam.com>, ***@nospam.com
says...
Post by MB
Post by Jim Mason
My opinion also. He claims the tunnel runs for at least fifty feet back
towards the house and at one time went down the hill where the new(ish)
houses are and was destroyed there by the foundations. And also there
are traces in the town around where the ruins of the castle are. I look
forward to the evidence and the chance of a look this weekend :-)
There is a short tunnel at Cromarty House that was for access by
servants and tradesmen. It is shown on the map and listed in CANMORE.
Perhaps something like that?
I was there at the weekend. I didn't make it to Tulloch Castle (mainly
because I forgot my camera - the QE2 at Invergordon was another photo
opportunity missed).

I ventured up to the South Suitors at Cromarty via the circular path.
Quite a climb from sea level. Had a wander around the `defences` and
returned via the road past Cromarty House. There is indeed an impressive
tunnel. Just a few yards past `Dungruntin` - the pig on the left there
is an impressive tunnel which would appear to lead into Cromarty House.

I have marked the path on crude maps here

Loading Image...

Loading Image...

Mike Ross
2005-07-25 16:13:52 UTC
Permalink
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 22:59:20 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Post by Mike Ross
Oh there may be a tunnel or cellar or old shelter under the lawn - but
any notion of a tunnel *running to Dingwall castle* is moonshine!
My opinion also. He claims the tunnel runs for at least fifty feet back
towards the house and at one time went down the hill where the new(ish)
houses are and was destroyed there by the foundations. And also there
are traces in the town around where the ruins of the castle are. I look
forward to the evidence and the chance of a look this weekend :-)
Don't believe about the houses - it really is a very steep hill, and
there's no way a tunnel would have run anything like that far. Any
traces at the ruins of Dingwall castle are a cellar or similar.

It really is a long way from one to the other, with a railway and a
river in between! I'll be in Dingwall in two or three weeks - my uncle
is now sadly deceased, but I can ask my aunt..

Mike
--
http://www.corestore.org
'As I walk along these shores
I am the history within'
Jim Mason
2005-07-25 21:57:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ross
On Sun, 24 Jul 2005 22:59:20 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Post by Mike Ross
Oh there may be a tunnel or cellar or old shelter under the lawn - but
any notion of a tunnel *running to Dingwall castle* is moonshine!
My opinion also. He claims the tunnel runs for at least fifty feet back
towards the house and at one time went down the hill where the new(ish)
houses are and was destroyed there by the foundations. And also there
are traces in the town around where the ruins of the castle are. I look
forward to the evidence and the chance of a look this weekend :-)
Don't believe about the houses - it really is a very steep hill, and
there's no way a tunnel would have run anything like that far. Any
traces at the ruins of Dingwall castle are a cellar or similar.
It really is a long way from one to the other, with a railway and a
river in between! I'll be in Dingwall in two or three weeks - my uncle
is now sadly deceased, but I can ask my aunt..
Why don't you go to the hotel and ask to see it for yourself? I will
post a report after my visit this weekend.

Jim
Mike Ross
2005-07-26 02:17:24 UTC
Permalink
On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 22:57:32 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Post by Mike Ross
It really is a long way from one to the other, with a railway and a
river in between! I'll be in Dingwall in two or three weeks - my uncle
is now sadly deceased, but I can ask my aunt..
Why don't you go to the hotel and ask to see it for yourself? I will
post a report after my visit this weekend.
I may do exactly that, next time I'm in the UK - I live in New York...

Mike
--
http://www.corestore.org
'As I walk along these shores
I am the history within'
Jim Mason
2005-07-26 07:16:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Mike Ross
On Mon, 25 Jul 2005 22:57:32 +0100, Jim Mason
Post by Jim Mason
Post by Mike Ross
It really is a long way from one to the other, with a railway and a
river in between! I'll be in Dingwall in two or three weeks - my uncle
is now sadly deceased, but I can ask my aunt..
Why don't you go to the hotel and ask to see it for yourself? I will
post a report after my visit this weekend.
I may do exactly that, next time I'm in the UK - I live in New York...
Poor excuse ;-) I live in California (FK1 version!)

Jim
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