Calda House, Scheduled monument in Inchnadamph, Scotland
Calda House is a ruined stone structure in the Scottish Highlands made up of two main floors with multiple fireplace openings and beam holes visible in the walls. The remains show clear evidence of careful construction and detailed craftsmanship from its period.
Kenneth MacKenzie built this house in 1726 as a residence for his wife Frances, offering a more refined alternative to the fortress-like Ardvreck Castle. Just over a decade later, supporters of the Earl of Sutherland burned it down in 1737 to prevent Sutherland occupation of the site.
The building marked a shift in Highland architecture as the first symmetrical house in the northwest region, setting standards for subsequent MacKenzie lairds' residences.
The ruins sit near the shores of Loch Assynt and are easily reached from other historical sites in the area. Wear sturdy footwear when exploring the site, as the ground is uneven and can be muddy depending on recent weather.
The house followed an unusual design approach for its time as one of the first symmetrically planned residences in the northwest region. This style later became a model that influenced how other Highland estates built their own family homes.
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