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THE BLACK OFFICER OF BALLACHROAN

Captain John MacPherson - the Black Officer of Balachroan was held by local legend to be in league with the devil. Born in 1724 in Glen Truim he died in peculiar circumstances at Giack in 1800. He was a recruiting officer for the highland regiments of the time which did not enhance his popularity with the native population. When he retired from the army he leased Balachroan from the Belleville (Balavil) estate. The steading and house he refurbished with dressed stone from the old parish church in Kingussie, which was abandoned when the new church was built in 1792. This was deemed as sacrilege by the locals and played a large part in establishing his alleged association with the devil. The house was apparently damaged by fire and rebuilt in 1851.

LATE 1700's
What is supposed to be the first two story house to be built in Badenoch is the house of Ballochroan, between Newtonmore and Kingussie. It is now stands a collection of tumbled stones and ruined outbuildings and is accessible by way of a footpath off the A9 road for those who wish to taste the past. It has an eerie atmosphere, even in the bright sunlight, which is perhaps not surprising considering the man who built it in the late 1700's, Captain John MacPherson, 'an Offigear Dubh', the black  officer was supposed to have a close association with the devil

The Black Officer adopted farming practices learned from the Moray farming community, Mainly the practice of adding lime to the local peaty soil. This so increased the quantity of his crops that the local farmers and crofters swore he had a pact with Satan. It was alleged that the deal was that Satan was to get half the crop in exchange for the increased productivity. The first year he sowed corn and barley, kept the seed as his half and gave the devil the roots and stalks. When the devil objected he swore that he could have the top half of the next years crop, and he would keep the roots. He then sowed potatoes and turnip and duly kept the roots as promised and gave the devil the shaws!