Parking at the Polish Monument, where there is another cache. Take the middle fork in the road, around what we call the Horseshoe Bend. In the woods, near the cache site are the remains of Invergordon Castle and you can see Kincraig Castle, over the fields.
Unfortunately at present you are unable to walk right round the Horseshoe bend, as part has been blocked off due to vandals damaging the cottages and stables. But it is still a nice walk that can be extended as you please.
Invergordon Castle existed back in the 13th century, but was rebuilt by Sir William Gordon of Embo (he renamed the town Invergordon). The castle and the estate eventually became the property of the MacLeods of Cadboll. This castle was destroyed by fire in 1801 and was replaced by a Georgian mansion designed by Dr. Alexander Ross and built by Sir John Gordon. This mansion was pulled down in 1873 to make room for the Victorian Gothic style castle. (Image 1 in gallery, shows a painting belonging to the MacLeods of Cadboll. It shows the 13th century "Inverbrachy Castle" and the beautiful Georgian mansion.) The MacLeods of Cadboll were the only family to live in all three buildings.
The castle had beautiful gardens, the American Gardens, now part of the Golf Club, and a walled garden, the wall is on your left, as you approach the Polish monument.
Sir William Martineau of Kincraig bought Invergordon Castle and Estate from the late Captain Roderick MacLeod, in 1921. Rumour had it that Sir William did not want to see another big house when he looked out of his windows at Kincraig, but there is speculation that he faced financial hardship, so that was why the Castle was demolished in 1928 and the glory of the Castle and the Gardens disappeared.
Kincraig Castle and lands were acquired by Colin MacKenzie about 1630.
Colin’s great-grandson, John V of Kincraig, made over Kincraig to his distant cousin Roderick Vll 1760. This Roderick gave Kincraig to his second son John who made money in India and, in 1800 rebuilt Kincraig as a square Georgian mansion with two wings on its present site.
When Sir William Martineau, John’s great-grandson, inherited the house, in 1919, he converted it from red sandstone to the white-harled building in Scottish Baronial style that we see today. This was completed in 1923.
After the castle at Invergordon was demolished, Sir William built the House of Rosskeen in the grounds for his son Roderick, who changed his name back to MacKenzie by deed poll. Sadly, Roderick died before his father, and Sir William then made the estate over to his grandson, Mr Robin MacKenzie. Sir William died shortly afterwards, and as there were double death duties to pay, part of the estate was sold and eventually Kincraig House was sold too.