Fairburn Tower

Fairburn Tower in the Scottish Highlands is situated 6 kilometres north west of Muir-of-Ord, on a ridge between the Orrin and Conon River valleys. Dating from the 1540s, it was probably built for Murdo Mackenzie, after receiving a charter for the lands, with the understanding that he build a house there. Although only covering an area of 8.2 metres by 7.9 metres, the tower stands five storeys high.

The famous Highland seer, Kenneth Mackenzie, known as 'The Brahan Seer', prophesied about the Mackenzies of Fairburn and the tower;

"The day will come when the Mackenzies of Fairburn shall lose their entire possessions; their castle will become uninhabited and a cow shall give birth to a calf in the uppermost chamber of the tower."

In 1851, the now ruined tower was being used by a farmer to store hay, and a cow gave birth in the garret. It is believed that the animal, following a trail of hay, entered the tower, climbed to the top, and got stuck. Both the cow and the calf were taken down five days later, allowing enough time for people to come and see the prophecy fulfilled.

Restoration work started on the tower in 2018 with plans to turn it into a holiday home. Photo taken in January 2013