The Square

Beauly is a planned village laid out around a large central square. When it was first built there would have been no road running through it and no fences or other street furniture so this would have been a magnificent open public space. There are numerous photographs from the 19th Century that show the square with horses and carts, cattle, barrels of beer and groups of barefooted children playing. Others show troops on parade, reminding us that for generations this region was a great recruiting ground for the British army.

In the centre of the Square you will see a large memorial. Most villages have war memorials commemorating those who died in the two world wars. This one, however is different. It commemorates those who fought in the Boer war. The 14th Lord Lovat, father to the Second World War hero we met earlier on our walk, raised a company of men from gamekeepers, stalkers and other workers on Highland estates. Their skill in moving stealthily through the countryside and in marksmanship made them ideal as scouts and sharpshooters operating over the South African plains. These skills were developed further for military purposes over the years and the Lovat Scouts are recognised as being the forerunners to our modern commandos and Special Forces.

You will also see an ancient weathered stone pole mounted on a circular base. This is what remains of one of the oldest market crosses in the country, dating back to the 1400s. It's been moved from location to location over the centuries and for many years lay broken inside the Priory. As well as being an authorised place for business to be transacted, the cross was probably used for the punishment of local offenders. Jougs - an iron collar - would have been fastened to the cross and miscreants left chained there to be humiliated by their neighbours.

Beauly Square remains at the heart of the village, with many fine shops and places to eat.

Now cross to the other side of the square where you will find Mid Street.