Scottish Highlands Towns and Villages
Tain holiday accommodation cottages, cabins, caravans and hotels.
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 05 May 2012 17:33
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Tain, was once an important port on the south shore of the Dornoch Firth, but progressive silting prevented development and the town had to rely on other means to maintain its existence. Its name apparently derives from the Old Norse thing, meaning 'council' or 'meeting place'. Its significance for the Norsemen continued to the 12th century, when the St Duthus Chapel, dedicated to the celebrated Celtic saint associated with this town, was built; it is now an ivy-covered ruin. Its sister building, St Duthus Church, built in the 1360 it was an important place of pilgrimage in medieval times. Jarnes IV of Scots came here annually over a period of 20 years in atonement for his part in the death of his father. |
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The church contains some stained-glass windows portraying a number of scenes from Scottish history. In the centre of the town is a 16th-century tollbooth, with a conical spire and small angle turrets. Among the town's industries are a cheesery, making Highland cheeses based on old recipes, and a distillery producing an excellent and widely favoured single malt whisky of some distinction. |
