Abertarff House

A House That Survived Four Centuries

Abertarff House stands as a remarkable survivor of Scottish architectural heritage. Built in 1593, it remains the oldest residential house in Inverness, a distinction earned not through grand prominence but through quiet resilience. The building's survival owes much to its location—tucked away in a close off Church Street, it escaped the demolition and redevelopment that claimed so many of its contemporaries. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Inverness Field Club championed its preservation with such vigor that the building was saved from complete ruin. Today, it represents one of the finest remaining examples of 16th and early 17th-century Scottish domestic architecture, with its distinctive crow-stepped gables and circular stone stair tower serving as architectural signatures of its era.

Architectural Treasures and Design

The house exemplifies the sophisticated design principles of late Renaissance Scotland. As a 2½-storey town house, it features a projecting turnpike staircase that winds upward through the building's core, allowing access to upper floors in an elegant spiral. The crow-stepped gables—those distinctive stepped edges visible on the roofline—were both functional and fashionable, reflecting the architectural vocabulary of prosperous Scottish burghs. Inside, original oak timber beams remain visible, their dark wood speaking to the craftsmanship of centuries past. A particularly striking feature is the 17th-century marriage stone positioned above the main fireplace, an intimate detail that hints at the domestic ceremonies and family life that unfolded within these walls. The restoration work undertaken by the National Trust for Scotland in 1966 carefully preserved these authentic elements while making the building safe and accessible for modern visitors.

Ownership Through the Centuries

The early ownership of Abertarff remains somewhat mysterious, with historical records fragmentary and occasionally contradictory. Names such as Scheivz, Sutor, and Warrand of Warrenfield appear in the earliest accounts, though precise dates of ownership are uncertain. The house's story becomes clearer in 1793 when it was acquired by Clan Fraser of Lovat, one of the most powerful families in the Highlands. Colonel Archibald Fraser, who purchased the property, was the younger son of the famous Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat—known as "The Fox"—who was executed for treason following his support of the Jacobite cause at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Archibald himself witnessed Culloden as a nine-year-old and later served as a Member of Parliament for Inverness-shire, where he advocated for the repeal of the dress act that had banned Highland dress after the rebellion. Upon Archibald's death in 1815, the house passed to his illegitimate grandson, also named Archibald Thomas Frederick Fraser, continuing the family's connection to this historic property.

From Bank to Community Hub

In the mid-19th century, the Commercial Bank of Scotland—which would eventually become the Royal Bank of Scotland—acquired Abertarff House. During this period, the building served multiple purposes: tenement housing, dental surgery, and even a filming location for a Disney episode of "People and Places." This versatility reflected the building's adaptability, though such varied uses gradually took their toll. By the 1950s, Abertarff had fallen into serious disrepair, becoming a derelict structure that seemed destined for demolition. The intervention of the National Trust for Scotland in 1963 marked a turning point. The Trust's comprehensive restoration in 1966 involved reharling the exterior with lime-based mortar, repairing floors, windows, and the roof, and addressing structural issues that threatened the building's integrity. Subsequent conservation work has maintained the building using traditional materials and techniques, ensuring that Abertarff continues to stand as a living link to Inverness's past.

Witnessing History Unfold

Few buildings in Scotland have witnessed such a dramatic sweep of national events. Abertarff House stood during the Covenanting period of the 17th century, when religious and political tensions convulsed Scotland. It endured the upheaval of the Jacobite risings, particularly the failed rebellion of 1745 and its devastating aftermath at Culloden. The house survived two world wars, its sturdy walls providing shelter through decades of conflict and social change. Each era left its mark—not always visible, but embedded in the building's fabric and the stories of those who lived within it. The ground floor exhibition space now tells these stories, focusing particularly on life in 1600s Inverness during the Covenanting period, allowing visitors to understand how ordinary people navigated extraordinary times.

Experiencing Abertarff Today

Visitors to Abertarff House enter a carefully curated space that balances historical authenticity with modern accessibility. Two downstairs rooms are open to the public, featuring the exhibition on 17th-century Inverness life. Staff and volunteers are present to share knowledge about the house's history, the people who lived there, and the broader context of Highland life. The original architectural features—the oak beams, the marriage stone, the turnpike stair—remain visible and tangible, creating an intimate connection with the past. The house functions not merely as a museum but as a regional headquarters for the National Trust for Scotland, ensuring that it remains a living, working space rather than a frozen artifact. For those planning visits to other Trust properties in the Highlands, including Culloden Battlefield, Hugh Miller's Cottage, and Brodie Castle, Abertarff serves as an excellent starting point for understanding the region's complex and compelling history.