up to 12th century

Christian settlement established at Rosemarkie by St Moluag of Lismore, 6th century.  St Curitan (St Boniface) took over the monastery at Rosemarkie, 716. St Duthac said to have been born in Tain, 1000. Avoch Castle (also known as Ormond Castle) built. Castle of Eddyrdour built by William the Lion on the Beauly Firth (now the site of Redcastle). David I of Scotland created the Diocese of Ross, 1124. First Cathedral of the Diocese of Ross (now the site of Rosemarkie Parish Church) completed, c1125.

13th century

Uprising led by Andrew de Moray (or Moravia) in 1297; Cromarty Castle built; oldest remaining part of Cathedral Kirk of Fortrose built (choir, chancel and chapter house); Rosemarkie created a Royal Burgh, possibly 1216. Cathedral Church of Ross moved to Fortrose, 1235.

14th century

Andrew de Moray dies at Stirling Bridge as a result of a wound while fighting with Wallace against the English. His son (also Andrew) marries Robert the Bruce's sister, Christina, and dies at Avoch Castle in 1338; work resumed on building Fortrose Cathedral after the Wars of Independence in the struggle against Edward I of England

15th century

In 1449, Bishop Thomas Tulloch presented a bell dedicated to St Mary and St Boniface - this bell still strikes the hour today; Fortrose created a Royal Burgh by James II, 1455; Ormond castle forfeited to the Crown, 1455. James III son, also James, created as Marquis of Ormond, 1476. Kilmuir Wester Church probably built 15th century.

16th century

Fortrose Castle (no remains) built between 1497 and 1507 - Castle Street in Fortrose gives clue to its existence; Craig Castle (below Cullicudden) built; it belonged to the Urquharts of Cromarty, later occupied by the Bishops of Ross; Kinkell Castle built for John Rory Mackenzie, chief of the Clan Mackenzie; Fortrose Cathedral began to fall into decline; 1573 - Rory Mackenzie descended on Fortrose and took up residence in the tower at the west end of the Cathedral; Grammar school established in Fortrose - later became the Academy. Craig Castle built during this century

17th century

Avoch Castle demolished to provide stone for Cromwell's citadel in Inverness (1650); the two parishes of Kirkmichael and Cullicudden joined by Act of Parliament to form Resolis, 1662; Kilcoy Castle in Killearnan built - four storied house of Z-plan; by 1690, Fortrose Cathedral virtually roofless - the lead having been removed in 1572

18th century

Alexander Mackenzie born, 1762 or 1763. Resolis Parish Church built, 1767. George Ross aquired Cromarty Estate, 1767 Brewery established in Cromarty , c1770. Cromarty Castle demolished by George Ross (1772) - Cromarty House built in its place; ruins of Kinkell Castle converted to country house. Courthouse erected in Cromarty, 1772. Alexander Mackenzie left for Canada, 1779. New harbour built at Cromarty by George Ross, 1782, funded by George Ross. The Gaelic Chapel, Cromarty, built in 1784 by George Ross. Feu granted for St Andrews Church, Fortrose, 1790 (opened 1827). Fortrose Academy formed from the Fortrose Grammar school, around 1791; Alexander Mackenzie completes the first journey across the continent of North America, 1793

1800-1810

Hugh Miller born, Cromarty, 10 October 1802; Alexander Mackenzie knighted 1802, and  made his last visit to Canada, 1810.  14 fishwives from Avoch lost their lives in the Moray Firth, 1871.

1811-1820

Sir Alexander Mackenzie settled in Avoch House (1812); dies in Perthshire, 1820; Avoch Harbour built by Sir Alexander Mackenzie, designed by Thomas Telford, 1814. Fortrose Harbour designed by Thomas Telford, 1817

1821-1830

Rosemarkie Church completed, 1821. Fortrose Town Hall built - as Church of Scotland initially, then changed to Town Hall around 1930; St Andrews Episcopal Church, Fortrose opened, 1827. Resolis Parish Church re-built 1830.

1831-1840

Black Isle Show started 1836. Captain Sutherland of Udale first President

1841-1850

Fortrose and Cromarty lighthouses operational, 1846

1851-1860

The schooner, Louisa launched at Rosemarkie boat-building yard; Hugh Miller commits suicide at Portobello, 1856; Lady Mackenzie, wife of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, dies 1860. James Fletcher buys the Rosehaugh Estate from Sir James Mackenzie, 1864.

1861-1870

Black Isle poor-house opened

1871-1880

Rosehaugh House altered by architect Alexander Ross, 1872

1881-1890

James Douglas Fletcher, owner of Rosehaugh, President of the Black Isle Show; Fortrose Branch of the Highland Railway opened, 1 February

1891-1900

Black Isle Railway opened 1894. Rosehaugh House altered by architect William Flockhart

1901-1910

Gordon Memorial Hal, Rosemarkie, built 1904

1911-1920

Work started on the Cromarty and Dingwall Railway, from Cromarty, 1914

1921-1930

Cromarty and Dingwall Railway Company went into liquidation, 1925

1931-1940

1941-1950

Vehicle ferry introduced from North Kessock to Inverness, 1940s

1951-1960

The light railway, serving Munlochy, Rosehaugh (yes, it had its own stop), Avoch, and Fortrose closed to passenger traffic, 1951. Closed completely on 13 June 1960. Rosehaugh House demolished, 1959; four-vehicle ferry added to the North Kessock to Inverness route, 1950s

1961-1970

1971-1980

1981-1990

Kessock Bridge opened, 1982. Chanonry lighthouse automated, 1984

1991-2000

Black Isle Partnership formed