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CastleUK Blog 2011
 A place where I can record and then archive my monthly updates and what's new in our hunt for castles UK.
This months Scottish castles, are from Argyllshire and the Isle of Arran, Ayrshire.
In July, castles took a back seat when we got a greenhouse and caught up with all the jobs in the garden.
The greenhouse took most of the time, with first laying the base and then building the thing. It came in 2 small but long boxes, with the glass being mostly loose sheets, I ask him if that was it and to my horror he said yes. I founded the instructions, with a big bag of nuts, bolts, etc and set to work, 30+ hours in many days later, it looks good but boy what a job!
The plan in August is a little run down to Hastings, so we'll get to see a couple or 3 castles down there.
It's nice and hot outside, why I'm I inside doing this? Chris.
For more information, click on the pictures.
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 Inverness Castle, OS 26/NH 666-451 Inverness-shire Scotland, is this months wallpaper.
The picture was taken in September 2010, on the Inverness/Culloden monster 6 day castle/battle hunt and the view of the castle was taken from the road bridge on the River Ness. This 'castle' was built by William Burn in 1836 and is the Inverness Sheriff Court but it stands on old ground. The site is freely accessible in daylight hours, so go and walk the walk. |
 Duart Castle, OS 49/NM 749-353 Argyllshire Scotland.
Was originally a 13th century stone square enclosure fortress, founded by the MacDougall, lords of Lorn. Built on a rocky promontory, that juts out into the Sound of Mull, the original entrance gateway was probably in north-west wall. The lower north-west edge of the rock lay outside the enclosure and this possible additional court contained the castle well. In the mid 14th century Lachlan Lubanach utilized the court, when building a tower house of three storey and an attic, directly against and integral with the enclosure.
The site is owned by the Chief of the Clan Maclean and is open, Sunday to Thursday 11:00-4:00pm in April and daily, May to mid October 10:30-5:30pm. This good looker is a bit of a must see when on Mull. |
 Dunstaffnage Castle, OS 49/NM 883-345 Argyllshire Scotland.
Is an early 13th century stone enclosure fortress, founded by Duncan MacDougall. Built on a promontory that overlooks Loch Etive and the Firth of Lorn, it guards the seaward approach to the Pass of Brander. Originally encased by a wide ditch, the roughly quadrangular enclosure took its shape from the outcrop of rock it stands on. In the mid 13th century Duncan’s son, Ewen, flanked the north and west angles with three storey circular towers but of his east entrance tower only a small curved section remains.
The site is owned by Historic Scotland and is open daily, April to September 9:30-5:30pm, October 9:30-4:30pm, November to March Saturday to Wednesday 9:30-4:30pm. The road to it is build up and you wonder where you are going but after a little walk from the car park, it's all very very good. |
 Brodick Castle, OS 69/NS 015-379 Ayrshire Scotland.
Was originally a mid 13th century stone rectangular enclosure fortress, founded by the Stewarts of Menteith. Encased by a water-filled rock-cut ditch, the wall was pierced a simple eastern entrance, flanked on its north side by a substantial round tower. In the late 13th or early 14th century, a massive barbican was constructed to defend this entrance and its truncated remains still survive.
The site is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and open daily, April to September 11:00-4:00pm, October 11:00-3:00pm, Country Park open daily all year, 9:30-sunset. |
 Kildonan Castle, OS 69/NS 036-209 Ayrshire Scotland.
Is a 14th century stone rectangular tower house, founded by the MacDonalds. Built on a rocky promontory, the three storey tower house is defended by steep slopes down to the beach and a northern ravine. In 1406, King Robert III granted Kildonan to John Stewart of Ardgowan and in 1544 it passed to the Hamiltons. The basement and first floor hall once had barrel-vaulted roofs and the crudely mortared walls of this crumbling ruin stand to third floor level.
The site is visible from the beach. |
 Lochranza Castle, OS 69/NR 933-507 Ayrshire Scotland.
Was originally a late 13th or early 14th century stone rectangular two storey hall house, possibly founded by the Stewarts of Menteith. Held by the Campbells in 1315, the hall stands on a curved shingle spit that projects into Loch Ranza. During the 1490s, King James IV used the castle as a base to attack the MacDonald Lord of the Isles. In the 16th century the hall was remodelled and heightened into a L-plan tower house.
The site is owned by Historic Scotland and is open daily in the summer and the outside is freely accessible in daylight hours. |
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