- Dingwall Castle
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Dingwall Castle was a medieval fort in the town of Dingwall, eastern Ross-shire, Scotland.
The castle is believed to have been established by Norse settlers in the area in the 11th century.[1]
Contents
Wars of Scottish Independence
During the Wars of Scottish Independence the castle was garrisoned by the forces of king Edward I of England. However it was later captured by Scottish forces for king Robert I of Scotland (Robert the Bruce) led by Uilleam II, Earl of Ross.[1]
From the castle, the Earl of Ross (chief of Clan Ross) led the men of Ross to fight against the English at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. As a reward in 1321 King Robert granted Dingwall Castle with the town and lands of Dingwall to the Earl of Ross.[1]
Murder in the Castle
In 1370 a feud arose between William de Moravia, 5th Earl of Sutherland (chief of Clan Sutherland) and Aodh Mackay (chief of Clan Mackay). A meeting was arranged for them to meet at Dingwall Castle to resolve their issues. However Aodh Mackay and his son Donald Mackay were both murdered in the castle while they were asleep by Nicholas Sutherland, brother of the Earl of Sutherland.[2]
Duel
Sometime at the beginning of the 15th century a duel is said to have taken place between the governor of the castle, who had been appointed by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany and Thomas Munro, brother of Hugh Munro, 9th Baron of Foulis (chief of Clan Munro). The two met at the village of Maryburgh and after an argument dirks were pulled and a duel took place in which Thomas Munro killed the governor of Dingwall Castle.[3]
Lord of the Isles occupation
In 1411 Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles (chief of Clan Donald) captured Dingwall Castle as part of his attempt to seize the title of the Earldom of Ross.[4] This took place shortly before the Battle of Harlaw.
In 1438 the next successive Clan Donald chief, Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross was officially recognised as the Earl of Ross and took up his residence at Dingwall Castle. His son, John of Islay, Earl of Ross was not as successful; the Earldom of Ross was confiscated from him and the castle became a royal possession once more in 1475.[1]
Downfall
The Crown abandoned Dingwall Castle in about 1600 and it eventually fell into a ruin. It was used as a quarry until 1817 when it was finally levelled and only a few fragments remain.[1]
Tunnel
A tunnel still exists that runs from the site of Dingwall Castle to the basement of nearby Tulloch Castle. The tunnel has now collapsed, but it is possible to view this passageway through an air vent on the front lawn of Tulloch Castle's grounds.
References
- ^ a b c d e David MacDonald. "A Bríef History of Dingwall". Dingwall Website. http://www.dingwall.org.uk/History-Clans/History.aspx. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ History of the House and Clan of Mackay by Robert Mackay (1829). p.47: Quoting "Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland" By Sir Robert Gordon (1580 - 1625).
- ^ "History of the Munros of Fowlis" by Alexander Mackenzie. 1898. Page 12.
- ^ Anderson, William (1862), The Scottish nation: or, The surnames, families, literature, honours, and biographical history of the people of Scotland, Fullarton, p. 37-8.
External links
Categories:- Castles in Scotland
- Castles in Highland (council area)
- Ruins in Scotland
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