In our meanderings along the Scottish west coast, we came across many castles, battlements and fortifications, all in varying states of preservation or ruin. Here are three of our favorites: Eilean Donan Castle, Ardvreck Castle and Castle Stalker.
The site of Eilean Donan Castle was first inhabited around the 6th century, but a fortified castle structure wasn’t built until the 13th century. It was originally used to protect the surrounding lands from Viking raiders. At that time, the medieval castle extended across an entire tidal island in Loch Duich. In later times, the castle grounds were diminished and, like many castles in Scotland, it was all but destroyed in 1719 during the Jacobite rising. In 1911 Lt. Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap bought the island and spent the next 20 years rebuilding the castle according to surviving plans. The reconstruction was completed in 1932 and the castle was opened to the public in 1955.
The ruins of Ardvreck Castle stand on a promontory at the east end of Loch Assynt in central Sutherland. Built around 1490, it did not fair so well through the centuries of clan skirmishes and the Jacobite rising. Although hardly anything of the original three story stone house and defensive walls remains, it is a very scenic and welcome pit stop along the NC500!
Castle Stalker sits on a small island off the east shore of Loch Linnhe. It’s believed that the name comes from the Gaelic, ‘stalcaire,’ meaning hunter or falconer. The castle is a privately owned fortification that was built, much in its present form, around 1446. It has survived many attacks and sieges over the centuries. Clan Stewart has defended, lost and reclaimed the castle repeatedly since its construction. In 1965 Lt. Colonel Stewart Allward purchased the castle and spent ten years restoring it as a family retreat. You may recognize it as Castle Aaargh! from the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail! “Run away!” 😝
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WOW. 3 castles in a row
Can’t even throw a stone without hitting a castle in these parts! 😜
I’d like the beauty of castles in the order that you presented them, although I would give a slight nod to the Ardvreck castle due to its close spelling and sound to aardvark, which in turn, brings up the image of the aardvark and the ant. Simple things for simple minds….
Gosh, now I can’t get Aardvark out my head. I’ll probably ask the next person I see who’s been to Scotland, have you been to Aardvark Castle???? See what kind of blank stare I would get, or would there be clear understanding. I might even start a rumor of wild Aardvark’s overrunning the Aardvark Castle along the NC500. Thanks for sharing.🙏
Happy to put simple things in simple minds! Which makes me think of the band, Simple Minds … no, maybe I should just leave the 80’s alone 😋
Anyway, we’re so happy our postings are stirring up thoughts and reflections in our friends and family back home! Thanks again for tuning in!
Aaargh!? Is Stalker listing? I imagine the balanced rocks are meant to offset the illusion (or compliment it?).
Thank you both for all the historical background content!!
Okay. This is just for me. One day I would like you to go to some town, any town where you are and send some pictures of life in 2025 not 1525. The houses they live in, their gardens, where they buy food , gas stations and the cars. Maybe a school or a dog park or a kids playground. Something that shows how ordinary people from wherever you are now live day to day. Thanks 🤗❤️