A fortified tower in the Highlands that played a part in the Jacobite risings is at risk of collapse unless funds are secured for its future.
The Landmark Trust is raising money to restore A-listed Fairburn Tower, near Muir of Ord for use as a holiday home.
The building conservation charity describes the tower as precious but "desperately fragile".
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A large crack runs down one side of the ruin and it is cordoned off to keep passers-by safe from falling stones.
It was built in 1545 for Murdo Mackenzie, gentleman of the bedchamber to King James V.
Above: Fairburn Tower. Image: Landmark Trust
The trust, which restores historic properties before renting them out as holiday accommodation, is trying to raise £800,000 towards the cost of conserving the tower.
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Historic Environment Scotland, which considers the tower to be significantly at-risk, has accepted a grant application of up to £455,000 to support the charity's restoration project.
The tower fell into ruin following the end of the 1745 Jacobite Rising.
Above: Fairburn Tower interior. Image: Landmark Trust
The Mackenzies had backed James Stuart, the Old Pretender, during the Jacobite rebellion in 1715.
After the defeat, the clan faced disgrace and the estate was confiscated by the Crown.
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In 1745, its owner, Alexander Mackenzie, was asked by his clan chief to lead a troop in the royal army against the Jacobites.
He refused because his wife was a sworn Jacobite and the tower was seized after the Battle of Culloden.
Legendary mystic Kenneth Mackenzie, known as the Brahan Seer, prophesied that the Mackenzies of Fairburn would lose all their possessions and, after the castle had become uninhabited, a cow would give birth to a calf in the highest chamber of the tower.
In 1851, while the building was being used for storing hay, a cow is said to have wandered inside and climbed to the top of the tower where it gave birth to a calf.
The animals were left in the tower for almost a week to allow people to visit and see for themselves that the prophecy had been fulfilled.
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