Guardians of the Sea: A Journey Through Scotland’s Coastal Castles

Coastal Castles of Scotland

The Highlands

  • Dunrobin Castle:
    • Clan: Sutherland (from the 13th century to present day)
    • Significant Events:
      • Served as a military hospital during World War I.
      • Parts of the castle were remodeled in the 19th century by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Houses of Parliament.
  • Eilean Donan Castle:
    • Clan: Mackenzie (from the 13th century, with periods of Mackenzie and MacRae occupation)
    • Significant Events:
      • Destroyed in 1719 during the Jacobite risings.
      • Rebuilt in the 20th century by Lt. Col. John MacRae-Gilstrap.
      • Featured in numerous films, including “Highlander” and “The World Is Not Enough”.
  • Urquhart Castle:
    • Clan: Grant (in the 16th century), previously held by Durwards and Comyns
    • Significant Events:
      • Played a role in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
      • Captured by the English in the 14th century.
      • Partially destroyed in 1692 to prevent its use by Jacobites.

Argyll

  • Castle Stalker:
    • Clan: Stewart of Appin (from the 15th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Birthplace of King James IV of Scotland (unconfirmed).
      • Scene of a siege in 1689 during the Jacobite rising.
      • Privately owned and restored in the 20th century.
  • Dunstaffnage Castle:
    • Clan: MacDougall (originally), Campbell (from the 15th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Said to have housed the Stone of Scone before its move to Scone Palace.
      • Held by the Campbells for centuries.
      • Besieged during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
  • Kilchurn Castle:
    • Clan: Campbell (from the 15th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Built by Sir Colin Campbell, 1st Lord Campbell, in the mid-15th century.
      • Served as a garrison for government troops during the Jacobite risings.
      • Abandoned in the 18th century and fell into ruin.

Islands

  • Brodick Castle (Isle of Arran):
    • Clan: Hamilton (from the 15th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Attacked and damaged by English forces in the 13th century.
      • Expanded and remodeled over the centuries.
      • Home to the Dukes of Hamilton for centuries.
  • Kisimul Castle (Barra):
    • Clan: MacNeil (from the 11th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Continuously occupied by the MacNeil clan for centuries.
      • Briefly held by the English in the 18th century.
      • Underwent extensive restoration in the 20th century.
  • Scalloway Castle (Shetland):
    • Clan: Sinclair (built by Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney and Shetland, who was of Norse descent)
    • Significant Events:
      • Built in the early 17th century using forced labor.
      • Briefly served as a prison.
      • Abandoned in the 18th century and fell into ruin.

Aberdeenshire & Moray Coast

  • Dunnottar Castle:
    • Clan: Keith (from the 14th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Played a key role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
      • Famously held out against a siege by Oliver Cromwell’s forces, protecting the Scottish Crown Jewels.
      • William Wallace besieged and captured the castle in 1297.
  • Findlater Castle:
    • Clan: Ogilvie (from the 14th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Visited by Mary Queen of Scots in 1562.
      • Abandoned in the 17th century after being attacked by the Covenanters.
      • Gradually fell into ruin.
  • Spynie Palace:
    • Clan: N/A (Bishop’s Palace, not associated with a specific clan)
    • Significant Events:
      • Served as the residence of the Bishops of Moray.
      • Attacked and damaged during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
      • Gradually fell into ruin after the Reformation.

Fife

  • Blackness Castle:
    • Clan: N/A (Royal Castle)
    • Significant Events:
      • Built in the 15th century.
      • Used as a state prison.
      • Garrisoned by Oliver Cromwell’s forces.
  • St Andrews Castle:
    • Clan: N/A (Bishop’s Castle, Royal Castle at times)
    • Significant Events:
      • Built in the 12th century.
      • Scene of numerous sieges.
      • Cardinal Beaton was murdered here in 1546.

East Lothian & Berwickshire

  • Tantallon Castle:
    • Clan: Douglas (from the 14th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Withstood several sieges, including one by James V of Scotland.
      • Partially destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s forces.
      • Birthplace of James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton.
  • Dirleton Castle:
    • Clan: De Vaux, Haliburton, Ruthven, Maxwell
    • Significant Events:
      • Captured by Edward I of England in 1298.
      • Besieged during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
      • Damaged during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Ayrshire & Galloway

  • Culzean Castle:
    • Clan: Kennedy (from the 14th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Originally a 14th-century tower house, extensively remodeled in the 18th century by Robert Adam.
      • 10th Earl of Cassillis granted a portion of the castle to General Dwight D. Eisenhower for life.
  • Cardoness Castle:
    • Clan: McCulloch (from the 15th century)
    • Significant Events:
      • Built in the late 15th century.
      • Passed through several families, including the McCullochs and the Gordons.
      • Restored in the 20th century.

Western Isles

  • Mingary Castle (Ardnamurchan):
    • Clan: MacIain of Ardnamurchan (branch of Clan MacDonald)
    • Significant Events:
      • Built in the 13th century.
      • Scene of conflict between the MacDonalds and the Campbells.
      • Restored and opened to the public in the 21st century.

This expanded list provides a glimpse into the rich history, clan connections, and significant events associated with Scotland’s remarkable coastal castles.