Developer warned not to fulfil Brahan Seer prophecy

A PICTISH prophecy could play a significant role in a proposal for a 21st century housing development near a sacred site in Strathpeffer.

Provisional planning permission has been agreed by councillors for a 15-home development at Nutwood on the north side of the village.

But local councillors reminded planning chiefs about a 16th century seer’s warning that the surrounding valley would flood if the 32-inch blue gneiss sculpted stone was to fall three times.

The statue has fallen twice and is now set in concrete.

It initially stood further down the hill towards Dingwall but was moved to its current site in 1411. It commemorates a Munro victory in a battle with a branch of the MacDonald clan. The eagle is the Munro symbol.

Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Margaret Paterson said: "It’s a very important stone and they’d better be very careful because if the stone falls over Dingwall could be flooded – Brahan foretold that.

"It’s part of our heritage. We have to be very careful about it because it’s in the middle of the field."

Offering a reassurance, area planning manager Erica McArthur said: "The protection of the eagle stone is required by condition. So, we’ll be keeping a close eye on that."

The council’s north area planning committee gave its blessing for a renewal of a "planning in principle" agreement for an eight-acre development at Nutwood on the northern edge of the village.

The developer would have to guarantee at least four "affordable" properties at the location or elsewhere within the ward to comply with council rules governing housing projects.

The council has received five local objections to Cromartie Estate’s proposals.

The concerns range from access issues and road safety to the impact on a conservation area and its wildlife, the anticipated loss of mature trees and light pollution.