Cromarty Icehouse

02 May 2011

News Type:

Site of the Month

This icehouse is one of four known from Cromarty. Two (including this one) are situated on the links near the car park, one belongs to Cromarty House, and the fourth is known from the first edition OS map, situated to the northeast of Cromarty House.  Before refrigeration icehouses were essential for keeping food cool throughout the year. Large estates had icehouses, and they were also built along the coast for the fishing industry. Ice would have been cut in winter and packed inside, insulated by dust or sawdust.

Although icehouses are said to date in Britain from the late 1600s, most surviving examples are much later, often 19th in date as is this example. Most, like this one, are dilapidated. In this case, the icehouse was later adapted, with a shed extension.

Icehouses are often brick-lined and domed, set into the hillside. Most are fairly functional, but occasionally they display some architectural flair, as at the ‘Egyptian’ icehouse at Hopeman in Moray. Also on the Black Isle, the icehouse at Fortrose is a double construction.

Many icehouses, including the second icehouse on the links, are poorly recorded. We ought to photograph and ask people about the icehouses in the Highlands before they disappear!

Further information:
T. Buxbaum 1992. Ice houses (available in Highland Council libraries)
S. Beamon 1990. The Ice-houses of Britain (available in Highland Council libraries)
Historic Environment Record MHG16530 (icehouse pictured here),  MHG8800, MHG21742, MHG32395
CANMORE 105586 (with 3 photographs)