A five-bay classical mansion located a half-mile (0.8 km) southeast of Cromarty on the Black Isle, Cromarty House comprises two main storeys constructed in ashlar, with an attic and a sunken basement. Attached on either side are stumpy two-storey wings. Built for George Ross (c.1700-86), shortly after he acquired the Cromarty Estate in 1772, the 13th-century Cromarty Castle, an L-plan tower house which was a property of the Urquharts from the 1450s, was demolished to make way for this new house. Inside there are fine rooms decorated in an Adamesque classical style and featuring elaborate white-marble chimney-pieces.
Interestingly an underground service tunnel, dating from the late 19th century, links the house to the nearby road, allowing servants and tradesmen to come and go without disturbing the laird's enjoyment of his garden.