STRATHPEFFER  , a

village and spa of the county of Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, 5 m . W. of Dingwall by a branch of the Highland railway . Pop . (1901), 354 . It lies in a valley of varying elevation (200 to 400 ft. above the sea), but is sheltered on the west and north and has a comparatively dry and warm climate . There are several sulphurous springs-one saline, another strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen—in great repute for gout, rheumatism, skin diseases and affections of the liver and kidneys . The well of effervescent chalybeate water is largely resorted to for anaemia and as a tonic . A peat bath, similar to those at Franzensbad in Bohemia, has also been established . The season runs from May to October, and during the past few years Strathpeffer has become a very popular resort . The pump-room (1829) and pavilion (1881) are situated in the middle of the village . Castle Leod (pron . Loud), a seat of the countess of Cromartie, upon whose property Strathpeffer is built, lies a mile to the north and is an example of the Scots Baronial style dating from 1660 .

The village was the

scene of the fight between the Mackenzies and Macdonalds in 1478, and later between the Mackenzies and the Munros . The Mackenzies prevailed in both encounters . The ascent of Ben Wyvis (3429 ft.) is commonly made from Strathpeffer .