Invergarry Castle

Invergarry Castle

Invergarry Castle in the Scottish Highlands was the seat of the Chiefs of the Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry, a powerful branch of the Clan Donald.

The castle's position overlooking Loch Oich on Creagan an Fhithich - the Raven's Rock - in the Great Glen, was a strategic one in the days of clan warfare. It is not certain when the first structure was erected on Creagan an Fhithich but there are at least two sites prior to the present castle.

After raids by the Clan Mackenzie in 1602 which included the burning of Strome Castle, the MacDonalds of Glengarry fortified the Rock of the Raven. The result was an imposing six storey L-plan tower house. According to clan tradition, the castle was built with stones passed hand to hand by a chain of clansmen from the mountain Ben Tee. [Norman H. MacDonald. "The Clan Ranald of Knoydart and Glengarry". Published by FSA Scot. Printed in Scotland by the Dryden Printing Company. 1979.]

The present structure was designed on the "L" plan, with a round tower at the north-east angle. The main building rose to five stories and the tower to six stories in height. The main building measured 55 by 32 ft. The hall, on the first floor, measured 44 by 20 feet. The main entrance was in the north wall of the wing of the castle. There are shot holes used to guard the main door and there are also shot holes under the stair cases and in the walls of the tower. [Norman H. MacDonald. "The Clan Ranald of Knoydart and Glengarry". Published by FSA Scot. Printed in Scotland by the Dryden Printing Company. 1979: Quoting from "Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland by MacGibbon and Ross. 1887 - 1892.]

During the Civil War Oliver Cromwell's troops under General Monck burned the castle down in 1654. Repaired, it was held for King James VII of Scotland from 1688 until its surrender to the Government forces of William and Mary in 1692.

It was then held by the Jacobites during the 1715 uprising, but taken for the government in 1716. During the 1745 uprising it was again held by Jacobites and visited twice by Bonnie Prince Charlie.

During the Jacobite Risings of 1745 to 1746, Prince Charles Edward Stuart - "Bonnie Prince Charlie" - visited the Castle shortly after the raising of the Royal Standard at Glenfinnan and is said to have rested there after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden, in 1746. In the aftermath of Culloden it was sacked and partially blown up by troops under "Butcher Cumberland" as part of his systematic suppression of the Highlands. However the stout walls refused to yield and have survived the centuries to serve as a reminder to their glorious past.

The Glengarry estates were sold in the 19th century but the deal excluded Invergarry Castle, the "Well of Heads" and the ancient clan burial ground, which instead passed through a female line of the family to the Erskine Cunninghams of Balgownie and Corrie, transferd in 1960 to the National Trust. [Norman H. MacDonald. "The Clan Ranald of Knoydart and Glengarry". Published by FSA Scot. Printed in Scotland by the Dryden Printing Company. 1979.] Today there is a near by mansion called Glengarry Castle Hotel. In 1960 Invergarry House was reborn as the Glengarry Castle Hotel. It enjoys an enviable position overlooking Loch Oich, with the added attraction of the ruins of Invergarry Castle in the grounds. [ [http://www.glengarry.net/hotel.php Glengarry Castle Hotel, Invergarry, Highlands of Scotland ] ]

ee also

*Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry
*List of castles in Scotland

References

External links

* [http://www.invergarrycastle.co.uk/ http://www.invergarrycastle.co.uk/]
* [http://www.glengarry.net/hotel.php http://www.glengarry.net/hotel.php]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Invergarry — Coordinates: 57°04′08″N 4°48′03″W / 57.06892°N 4.80086°W / 57.06892; 4.80086 …   Wikipedia

  • Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway — [v · d · …   Wikipedia

  • Strome Castle — is a ruined castle on the shore of Loch Carron in Stromemore, 3.5 miles south west of the village of Lochcarron, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands.Originally built by the Macdonald Earls of Ross. Later in 1472 the castle was owned by… …   Wikipedia

  • Clan MacDonell of Glengarry — MacDonell of Glengarry Crest badge …   Wikipedia

  • Ben Tee — Infobox Mountain Name = Ben Tee Photo = Ben Tee from Sron na Coire Ghairbh.jpg Caption = Ben Tee seen from the cairn on Sròn a Choire Ghairbh, 3 km to the SW. Elevation = 904 m (2966 ft) Location = Highland SCO Range = Northwest Highlands… …   Wikipedia

  • Clan Donald — Crest badge …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Edward Stuart's Flight — Charles Edward Stuart’s FlightCharles Edward Louis Philippe Casimir Stuart was born on 20 December 1720. Supported by Jacobite adherents, he attempted to regain the throne of his father, who, according to Jacobite beliefs, was the legitimate… …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Edward Stuart's flight — Charles Edward Louis Philippe Casimir Stuart was born on 20 December 1720. Supported by Jacobite adherents, he attempted to regain the throne of his father, who, according to Jacobite beliefs, was the legitimate successor of James II, King of… …   Wikipedia

  • Chiefs of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry — The Scottish Highland Clan MacDonell of Glengarry is a branch of the Clan Donald. The clan chiefs of the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry were originally seated at Strome Castle but later moved to Invergarry Castle. The current chief of the Clan… …   Wikipedia

  • Keppoch murders — The Keppoch Murders is one of the stranger incidents in the history of Clan Donald, a large Scottish clan. In September 1663 Alexander, the thirteenth chief of the Macdonalds of Keppoch in Lochaber, and his brother, Ranald, were murdered at home… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”