| Ardvreck
Castle
Sutherland, Northwest Scotland. Themes - Buildings, Scotland See also: Calda House, Ardvreck Castle BU128, BU129, BU130, BU131, BU132 |
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Situated at the eastern end
of Loch Assynt (NC 2398 2363) in Sutherland, Ardvreck Castle commanded
the north-south route along the Scottish northwest coast.
Ardvreck Castle BU128 |
Ardvreck
castle was the ancient seat of the MacLeods of Assynt, and was the home
of Neil Macleod, Laird of Assynt
James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose is believed to have been held prisoner here in 1650 after the Battle of Carbisdake, before being sent to Edinburgh for execution. |
| It was first built in the
late 15th Century (possibly 1590-91 - see ref (1)) by Angus Mor III as
a simple rectangular building. In the following century a tower, vaulted
cellars, and a vaulted great hall were added by Donald Ban IX. There were
three, possibly four, floors.
It lies on a promontory connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand. |
Ardvreck Castle BU131 |
Ardvreck Castle BU132 |
Later in the 17th Centtury
troublesome neighbours, the MacKenzies of Wester Ross, moved into the area,
and a fourteen day siege of the castle in 1672 finally evicted the MacLeods
from Assynt.
Following this Kenneth MacKenzie built nearby Calda House (which is easily seen from the castle), but the MacKenzies were later forced to sell it by the Earl od Sutherland - a friend of the MacLeods. |
| In 1795 Ardvreck Castle
was struck by lightning and destroyed, and remains largely ruinous, although
some works have been carried out to prevent further decay.
You can find more details fromThe Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland (ref (2) below).
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Ardvreck Castle BU130 |
References
1) Scottish
Castles, Towers and Historic Houses
2) The
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions
of Scotland
