Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle
	Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye
Creation time :	1220-1230
Conservation status:	Intact
Standing position :	Nobles / Clan MacLeod
Construction:	Stone construction
Place:	Dunvegan
Geographical location	57 ° 26 '54.7 " N , 6 ° 35' 23.2" W Coordinates: 57 ° 26 '54.7 " N , 6 ° 35' 23.2" W.
Height:	2 m ASL

Dunvegan Castle entrance area

Dunvegan Castle is the ancestral home of the Scottish Clans of the MacLeods . The castle is in the clan's heartland on the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides .

History and structure

Dunvegan Castle is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. It was the residence of the MacLeods clan chiefs for over 800 years and is right on Loch Dunvegan. A large park was laid out in Victorian times. Thanks to the Gulf Stream , a variety of plants can thrive in this complex. There are also two waterfalls, arbours or a water lily pool. The park can be visited as well as the castle itself.

Below the castle is a small dock for motor boats. From here tours to the seal colonies in the bay of Dunvegan are offered. Over the years, the palace has hosted a number of celebrities, including Samuel Johnson, Sir Walter Scott , Flora MacDonald, and Queen Elizabeth II.

First fortifications

In the 13th century, the MacLeods built the first fortification on a rock. A simple shield wall protected commercial and residential buildings. Battlements were set up here to protect the defenders . Around 1340, Malcolm MacLeod (III. Clan chief), one of the most important leaders of the MacLeods, had the great keep built.

Further extensions

In the 15th century the fairy tower was built by Alasdair Crotach MacLeod, the eighth clan leader. Its four habitable floors are connected by a narrow spiral staircase.

Today's appearance

The current appearance of the castle results from the renovations and extensions in the Victorian period. The Scottish architect Robert Brown was responsible for the new building between 1840 and 1850 . The new building was designed like a palace. Small oriels were erected at the corners of the buildings, reminiscent of cast bay windows , but only serve as decoration.

exhibition

The exhibition includes numerous oil paintings of the family members, Jacobite relics and some treasures of the clan. One of the most important items here is the magic banner , which, according to legend, will help the MacDonald clan to victory in battle as soon as it is deployed. Furthermore, the Dunvegan Cup can be seen, which was presented to clan chief Sir Rory Mor by the O'Neils of Ulster as a token of gratitude for supporting them with his clan in the fight against the advancing troops of Queen Elizabeth I. Photography is not permitted anywhere in the exhibition.

According to tradition, Malcolm is said to have been the third boss (1296-1370) on his way back from a secret lover (the wife of a certain Fraser from Glenelg ) when he was attacked by a wild highland cattle in Glenelg. Armed only with a dirk , he killed the animal. As a reminder of his brave deed, he kept one of the bull's horns. This horn is considered the treasure of the clan and it is customary for every male heir to empty this horn filled with claret in one go.